Ciné-ONU movie screening - “The Fear of 13”

Mesdames et messieurs,
Bienvenu à Ciné-ONU!

Je suis ravi que l’édition de Ciné-ONU de cette soirée traite un sujet qui doit maintenir sa place centrale dans les débats concernant les droits de l’homme – l’abolition de la peine de mort.

This is the first time since its launch in Geneva some two years ago that Ciné-ONU is touching on the issue of the death penalty. I am grateful to the European Union and the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights for having proposed this event, as the purpose of Ciné-ONU is to generate a better understanding of important issues like this one and foster a healthy and constructive dialogue around them.

Dans son message annuel à l’occasion de la Journée mondiale contre la peine de mort, le 10 octobre, le Secrétaire général des Nations Unies a été très clair : la peine de mort est une pratique cruelle et inhumaine, qui n’a pas sa place dans le 21ème siècle.

Plus de 160 pays membres des Nations Unies ont soit aboli la peine de mort, soit ils ne la pratiquent plus. Malgré ces progrès réalisés, cela veut aussi dire qu’il y a encore un nombre important de pays où la peine de mort continue d’être appliquée. Nous sommes préoccupés par cette pratique, qui semble connaître une renaissance, particulièrement dans des situations liées au terrorisme.

Aucun conflit et aucun crime ne justifient des compromis concernant l’état de droit et le respect des droits de l’homme. Dans un monde de plus en plus fragmenté, les principes et les normes universelles des droits de l’homme sont essentielles pour éviter un monde dans un désordre encore plus sérieux qu’aujourd’hui.

The international community is making important progress to make the 21st century one of sustainable development and shared prosperity, guided by the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. However, these efforts risk being undermined by the persistence of conflict and the worrying disrespect for fundamental human rights. It has been said many times before, but it bears repeating: there will be no development without peace, no peace without development and neither will be achieved without the protection and promotion of human rights. As we are presented with this opportunity to make this century one of innovation and advancements for societies all around the globe, let us leave behind medieval practices of the past including the death penalty.

Although the International Day Against the Death Penalty has been observed earlier this month, we need to use every opportunity to reflect on the worrying signs of a return to the death penalty, a method where errors of judgement can irreversibly punish the innocent. Tonight’s movie illustrates that sometimes, even in death-row cases, things are not as they seem at first sight. It will undoubtedly stimulate important reflections, and I encourage everyone to engage personally to denounce this unacceptable practice.

Let me conclude by recalling the Secretary-General’s appeal to continue our work to abolish the death penalty in all circumstances and places. And I quote: “Let our actions always be guided by the moral compass of human rights -- the most effective route to a safer, more just and secure world.”

Thank you very much.