DEATH PENALTY IN THE UNITED STATES

Early day motion 1501, tabled 25 June 2002 by Kevin McNamara (Labour). Signed by 85 members.

That this House welcomes the 21st June decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in Atkins v. Virginia holding that the death penalty can no longer be applied to persons who are diminished in permanent sense through a retardation of mental capacity; reiterates its commitment to the right to life and the rule of law; commends the Council of Europe for its adoption of Protocol No. 13 to the European Convention of Human rights concerning the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances; and seeks the assistance of the Government to urge the United States to proceed further along the path towards the complete abolition of the death penalty.

Signatures by party: Labour 61, Liberal Democrat 10, Labour/Co-operative 4, Plaid Cymru 4, Scottish National Party 4, Conservative 1, UUP 1.