Right of Reply on Abolition of the Death Penalty in the State of Virginia, U.S.A.
As delivered by Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Elisabeth Rosenstock-Siller
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
April 16, 2021
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Since my country was mentioned, I’d like to utilize my Right of Reply. As my delegation has noted in the past, international law does not prohibit capital punishment, and each country, and in the case of the United States, each state in the union—as well as our federal government—may make its own choice on this matter. As noted, the Commonwealth of Virginia has abolished the death penalty.
President Biden supports legislatively ending the death penalty at the federal level and incentivizing states to follow the federal government’s example. As such, we also welcome the decision of Virginia authorities to abolish the death penalty.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
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