EU withdraws anti-execution draft decision from UN

In response to Egyptian, Islamic, Arab and Asian endeavors, the European Union withdrew an anti-execution draft resolution from the United Nations General Assembly.

The draft resolution, forwarded by the EU and some east European countries, bans the death penalty in contravention to Islamic teachings entailing that whoever kills must be killed.

The draft resolution was submitted to the third committee of the UN General Assembly in charge of social and humanitarian rights.

Egypt's mission to the UN geared the support of 80 Islamic, Arab, Asian and Caribbean countries against the draft resolution.

Egypt stood up to the sovereign right of every state to write its own legal system and legislation, according to its creed and convictions, in a bid to preserve its society's security and safety.

Egyptian Ambassador to the UN Ahmed Abul-Gheit said that the Egyptian campaign reflects a desire to open serious dialogue based on mutual respect for differences in cultures, civilizations and values worldwide, describing the EU trend as an unaccepted interference.

"The civil and political rights accords clearly endorsed the execution punishment so that the crime equals the penalty given," he added.

The Egyptian-recommended modifications caused divisions among the European Union countries and other supporting countries. Failure to come to a unified European stand made the EU, finally, withdraw the draft resolution.