The Moratorium Campaign

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Dear Friends,

I am writing to you today to encourage you to endorse a worldwide moratorium on the death penalty, as a first and necessary step toward the full protection of human rights for all. In a protracted war, the first step towards peace is a cease-fire. Peace always comes in steps and the first step is to cease and desist from killing which, of course, is a moratorium.

I became convinced of the necessity of a moratorium in the spring of 1998 when I attended a meeting of the UN Commission for Human Rights in Geneva. At that time, our friends working with the Commission couldn't get a majority vote for outright abolition, but they succeeded in nurturing a common will for moratorium with a view towards total worldwide abolition. The U.S. delegation was clearly defensive and uncomfortable, but I strongly believe that in time, such international pressure will bear fruit with our political leaders.

In truth, American leaders now stand in a very vulnerable position as they are calling for democratic ideals and human rights throughout the world as they continue to uphold the execution of their own citizens - including juveniles and mentally impaired. Mahatma Ghandi once said that the oppressors often stop oppressing, not for lofty moral reasons, but because it gets too costly to keep oppressing. I fully agree. It is too costly - both financially and politically - for the US to continue upholding the death penalty in the company of China, Iran, Nigeria, Belarus, Sierra Leon, and others. Today, the United States ranks fifth in the world in terms of all executions. Meanwhile, most of the countries of the former Soviet Union were lining up at the Commission meeting in support of the moratorium.

On December 25th 1998, Pope John Paul II called for a worldwide moratorium on the death penalty. He recently reiterated his statement of opposition to the death penalty on visits to Mexico and the United States. In Missouri, his appeals ended in the commutation of a death sentence for one prisoner. Every life is precious and this is another important step in the process.

Numerous other organizations and individuals have joined us on this most important campaign. Many of those signing on to the moratorium are new to this issue and want to see a change in the policy and practice. It is equally important for us - as citizens - to work to introduce resolutions at the community, civic, and state levels of our government. For example The Moratorium Campaign joined with the Sant' Egidio Community in Italy and Amnesty International on December 18th 2000 where we presented United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan with 3.2 million signatures for a moratorium. We urged him to use these signatures as a tool to pass a moratorium resolution within the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Along with the pressure on the international front, it is very important - I believe - to make visible the support of US citizens for a moratorium on the death penalty. This is why we are organizing a grass roots campaign to educate and activate all of the population; from churches to universities, civic groups, politicians and individuals alike.

We have hard work ahead of us, but it is not hopeless work. I look forward to your enthusiastic support and participation.

Sincerely,

Sister Helen Prejean, c.s.j

View report of Sister Helen's 2001 speaking tour of Russia.