Italy on Friday reiterated its backing for the abolition of capital punishment and recalled its role in galvanizing support from an ever-increasing number of countries for a worldwide moratorium.
"Italy has always been at the forefront of the battle to eliminate the death penalty. For years it has promoted initiatives calling for a universal moratorium on executions," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Italy's efforts led to the adoption of the landmark 2007 United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for a universal moratorium on executions, the statement said.
"Also thanks to Italy's commitment, since 2008 the UN General Assembly has adopted resolutions on a universal moratorium on the death penalty every two years - with an ever-higher number of votes in favour," the statement added.
The last UN resolution backing a universal moratorium on capital punishment was adopted on 17 December, 2018 with a record 121 votes in favour, the statement noted.
A total 106 out of 193 UN member states had abolished the death penalty by the end of 2019, according to campaign group Amnesty International.
