The UN resolution on capital punishment has been voted on every two years since 2007.
Keystone / Justin Lane
Switzerland and Mexico have spearheaded talks on a resolution at the UN General Assembly to advance a moratorium on capital punishment.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/jdp
Some123 UN member states adopted the resolution at the General Assembly on Wednesday. The resolution – which has come before the General Assembly every two years since 2007 – contains amendments such as abolishing the discriminatory application of the death penalty against women. It also calls for the death penalty not to be used for anyone under 18 years of age at the time they were sentenced.
The resolution aims to encourage more states to place a moratorium on executions as a first step towards abolishing the death penalty in their countries.
Four countries voted yes to the resolution on the topic for the first time. In a press releaseExternal link, the government said this was the most important support ever given to this initiative at the UN General Assembly. Some 49 states continue to apply the death penalty.
The universal abolition of the death penalty is one of Switzerland’s foreign policy priorities. In July, the Swiss government spoke out against the US over its decision to resume federal executions after a 17-year interruption.
Popular Stories
More
Culture
Documentary portrays Swiss teenagers forced to return to parents’ homeland
This content was published on
Switzerland must join NATO, as in the future it cannot rely on its long-standing tradition of neutrality for its defence, John Bolton, Donald Trump's former national security adviser, declared in an interview on Sunday.
This content was published on
A demonstration was held in Geneva on Sunday calling for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. Around 50 Russians took part in the gathering outside the United Nations building to mark 1,000 days since the start of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine.
Swiss cantons have killed 39 wolves so far this autumn
This content was published on
In mid-November, 35 packs of three or more wolves were detected in Switzerland. At least eight of them may be eliminated during the current hunting season. So far, at least 39 wolves have been shot in Graubünden, Valais, Vaud and St. Gallen.
This content was published on
Pierre-Yves Maillard, president of the Swiss Trade Union Confederation, sees no agreement in sight in negotiations with the European Union.
This content was published on
The "Dubai chocolate" has also caused a rush in Switzerland: queues formed outside the Lindt chocolate factory in Kilchberg, canton Zurich, on Saturday morning.
This content was published on
Stargazers currently have the chance to spot shooting stars in the night sky. Until November 30, the Leonid meteor shower is lighting up the darkness.
Nationalisation suggested to save Red Cross Museum
This content was published on
The director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva is calling for a national debate on the institution's future.
Climate: 224 Swiss companies announce CO2 reduction targets
This content was published on
A total of 224 companies from Switzerland have joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), committing to CO2 reduction targets that are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss government speaks out against new US executions
This content was published on
Switzerland has said it regrets the United States’ decision to resume federal executions, after a second one was carried out on Thursday.
How states are trying to slowly kill off the death penalty
This content was published on
Switzerland and other states have managed to push through a resolution against the death penalty at the UN Human Rights Council.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.