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His Holiness commends EU stand on abolishing death penalty
Monday, 13 November 2006, 12:00 p.m.
Tokyo: His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Saturday said that the European Union`s (EU) stand in opposing death penalty and its recent call to rescind the death sentence meted out to former Iraqi president Saddam Hussain is commendable.
Speaking through a spokesperson, His Holiness the Dalai Lama reiterated his appeal for the abolition of death penalty saying all human beings have the potential to improve and correct themselves.
The spokesperson for His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in an interview with the exile Tibetan media that the death penalty may help in preventing further crimes but it is an act carried out with a revengeful motive.
"The death penalty although fulfils a preventive function, it is clearly a form of revenge," he said.
He said His Holiness the Dalai Lama believes there are alternative ways other than death penalty to deter criminal activities in society. "It is possible to deter criminal activities". without having to resort to death penalty."
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed hope that human life will be respected and spared in cases involving the implementation of death sentences including that of Saddam Hussain, the spokesperson said.
Earlier this week, members of the EU had urged Iraq not to carry out the death sentence passed on former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein saying the EU opposed capital punishment "in all cases and under all circumstances."
(www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)
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