(ANSA) Rome, July 31 - Pope Francis has been awarded the
Hands off Cain prize as 'Abolitionist of the Year 2015' for his
contribution to ending the death penalty worldwide during his
pontificate, the NGO said Friday.
The radical association that campaigns against the death
penalty around the world said that the Argentine pope "whose
pontificate began with the abolition of life imprisonment and
the introduction of the crime of torture in the Vatican State
penal code, has spoken out strongly and clearly not just against
the death penalty but also about the penalty (of imprisonment)
until death".
The NGO "recognises in the Holy Father the prodigious value
of his words, essential and inspiring for those who want to
commit themselves concretely, always more necessary and urgent,
to reach the definitive overcoming of inhumane and degrading
punishments, cruel and anachronistic treatment, that condemn a
state that practises them and becomes itself Cain".
The prize awarded to Francis is a bronze statue by Massimo
Liberti depicting the Earth "in the form of a ball on which
children are seated to fly higher and see further," the NGO
said.
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