.
The European Union is leading a concerted effort – diplomatically – in the fight against Capital Punishment. According to a handout distributed by the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the United States, “every year the EU marks European and World Day against the Death Penalty on October 10 and uses this platform to reinforce its efforts to eliminate capital punishment worldwide.”
As part of its public diplomacy, the EU Delegation to US holds the “EU Rendez-Vous” events in Washington frequently featuring senior EU and US leaders to discuss significant issues ranging from foreign policy and the global economy to energy security, human rights and culture.
On October 20, 2015, EU together with the Catholic University of America (CUA) premiered the documentary “Bloodsworth: An Innocent Man” a gripping story about the ordeal of Kirk Bloodsworth who was sentenced to death for a brutal crime he did not commit.
The arts of diplomacy and filmmaking converged on this crisp fall evening in Washington giving a fresh perspective about why Pope Frances stressed about the sanctity of life during his historic visit. The serene beauty of the Catholic University environments was still fresh with the spirit of the holy water dripping during the Pope’s visit.
As Claudia Burnholdt, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences, softly delivered the words spoken by the Pontiff, Father O’Connell Hall was resplendent with the majestic glow of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception.
Diplomacy is not known for delivering fatal blows, but EU Ambassador David O’Sullivan made a convincing case for why the 28 Member States he represents are unequivocally opposed to the death penalty and why it fails to deter criminal behavior.
Faith in human dignity becomes stronger after listening to Bloodsworth’s spoken words so artfully presented by Gregory Bayne, Documentary Producer. Both the artist and the subject of the story were present in Father O’Connell Hall to talk to the large audience gathered for this historic event.
Every mother believes the best about her sons and daughters. But it was his mom’s rock solid belief in Kirk’s innocence that gave him the tenacity to endure the hardships of imprisoned life. She did not live to see her son re-earn his freedom but he had to suffer the indignity of seeing her in the funeral home dressed in leg irons.
With a rosary hanging from his pant pockets and a gentle handshake, students of humanity – as well as European Studies at CUA - could neither hear any words of anger or sense any bitterness from an honorably discharged whose freedom was stolen in the prime of his life. It would be natural for anger to exist, especially when the actual killer of an innocent nine (9) year old girl was living one floor below in the maximum security prison in Maryland, which has since abolished the death penalty.
Through this EU Rendez-Vous event, Ambassador O’Sullivan and Dean Burnholdt made an effective case for reevaluating a thorny issue especially as the election fever heats up in which politicians vie for appearing tough on crime for fear of meeting fate like Governor Michael Dukakis’ failed presidential bid.
Diplomacy is all about engagement and the EU provided a very useful handout – “The European Union, A Guide for Americans.” For European Studies, Ambassador O’Sullivan’s message is right on point when he said: “we need a deep mutual understanding of: each other’s values; our respective histories and political evolutions; how decisions are made on each side of the Atlantic; how our economies and currencies work; and our respective and complimentary actions on the world stage.”
Diplomacy is not known for delivering fatal blows, but EU Ambassador David O’Sullivan made a convincing case for why the 28 Member States he represents are unequivocally opposed to the death penalty and why it fails to deter criminal behavior.
Faith in human dignity becomes stronger after listening to Bloodsworth’s spoken words so artfully presented by Gregory Bayne, Documentary Producer. Both the artist and the subject of the story were present in Father O’Connell Hall to talk to the large audience gathered for this historic event.
Every mother believes the best about her sons and daughters. But it was his mom’s rock solid belief in Kirk’s innocence that gave him the tenacity to endure the hardships of imprisoned life. She did not live to see her son re-earn his freedom but he had to suffer the indignity of seeing her in the funeral home dressed in leg irons.
With a rosary hanging from his pant pockets and a gentle handshake, students of humanity – as well as European Studies at CUA - could neither hear any words of anger or sense any bitterness from an honorably discharged whose freedom was stolen in the prime of his life. It would be natural for anger to exist, especially when the actual killer of an innocent nine (9) year old girl was living one floor below in the maximum security prison in Maryland, which has since abolished the death penalty.
Through this EU Rendez-Vous event, Ambassador O’Sullivan and Dean Burnholdt made an effective case for reevaluating a thorny issue especially as the election fever heats up in which politicians vie for appearing tough on crime for fear of meeting fate like Governor Michael Dukakis’ failed presidential bid.
Diplomacy is all about engagement and the EU provided a very useful handout – “The European Union, A Guide for Americans.” For European Studies, Ambassador O’Sullivan’s message is right on point when he said: “we need a deep mutual understanding of: each other’s values; our respective histories and political evolutions; how decisions are made on each side of the Atlantic; how our economies and currencies work; and our respective and complimentary actions on the world stage.”
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
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Diplomatic Challenge to the Death Penalty
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October 26, 2015
The European Union is leading a concerted effort – diplomatically – in the fight against Capital Punishment. According to a handout distributed by the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the United States, “every year the EU marks European and World Day against the Death Penalty on October 10 and uses this platform to reinforce its efforts to eliminate capital punishment worldwide.”
As part of its public diplomacy, the EU Delegation to US holds the “EU Rendez-Vous” events in Washington frequently featuring senior EU and US leaders to discuss significant issues ranging from foreign policy and the global economy to energy security, human rights and culture.
On October 20, 2015, EU together with the Catholic University of America (CUA) premiered the documentary “Bloodsworth: An Innocent Man” a gripping story about the ordeal of Kirk Bloodsworth who was sentenced to death for a brutal crime he did not commit.
The arts of diplomacy and filmmaking converged on this crisp fall evening in Washington giving a fresh perspective about why Pope Frances stressed about the sanctity of life during his historic visit. The serene beauty of the Catholic University environments was still fresh with the spirit of the holy water dripping during the Pope’s visit.
As Claudia Burnholdt, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences, softly delivered the words spoken by the Pontiff, Father O’Connell Hall was resplendent with the majestic glow of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception.
Diplomacy is not known for delivering fatal blows, but EU Ambassador David O’Sullivan made a convincing case for why the 28 Member States he represents are unequivocally opposed to the death penalty and why it fails to deter criminal behavior.
Faith in human dignity becomes stronger after listening to Bloodsworth’s spoken words so artfully presented by Gregory Bayne, Documentary Producer. Both the artist and the subject of the story were present in Father O’Connell Hall to talk to the large audience gathered for this historic event.
Every mother believes the best about her sons and daughters. But it was his mom’s rock solid belief in Kirk’s innocence that gave him the tenacity to endure the hardships of imprisoned life. She did not live to see her son re-earn his freedom but he had to suffer the indignity of seeing her in the funeral home dressed in leg irons.
With a rosary hanging from his pant pockets and a gentle handshake, students of humanity – as well as European Studies at CUA - could neither hear any words of anger or sense any bitterness from an honorably discharged whose freedom was stolen in the prime of his life. It would be natural for anger to exist, especially when the actual killer of an innocent nine (9) year old girl was living one floor below in the maximum security prison in Maryland, which has since abolished the death penalty.
Through this EU Rendez-Vous event, Ambassador O’Sullivan and Dean Burnholdt made an effective case for reevaluating a thorny issue especially as the election fever heats up in which politicians vie for appearing tough on crime for fear of meeting fate like Governor Michael Dukakis’ failed presidential bid.
Diplomacy is all about engagement and the EU provided a very useful handout – “The European Union, A Guide for Americans.” For European Studies, Ambassador O’Sullivan’s message is right on point when he said: “we need a deep mutual understanding of: each other’s values; our respective histories and political evolutions; how decisions are made on each side of the Atlantic; how our economies and currencies work; and our respective and complimentary actions on the world stage.”
Diplomacy is not known for delivering fatal blows, but EU Ambassador David O’Sullivan made a convincing case for why the 28 Member States he represents are unequivocally opposed to the death penalty and why it fails to deter criminal behavior.
Faith in human dignity becomes stronger after listening to Bloodsworth’s spoken words so artfully presented by Gregory Bayne, Documentary Producer. Both the artist and the subject of the story were present in Father O’Connell Hall to talk to the large audience gathered for this historic event.
Every mother believes the best about her sons and daughters. But it was his mom’s rock solid belief in Kirk’s innocence that gave him the tenacity to endure the hardships of imprisoned life. She did not live to see her son re-earn his freedom but he had to suffer the indignity of seeing her in the funeral home dressed in leg irons.
With a rosary hanging from his pant pockets and a gentle handshake, students of humanity – as well as European Studies at CUA - could neither hear any words of anger or sense any bitterness from an honorably discharged whose freedom was stolen in the prime of his life. It would be natural for anger to exist, especially when the actual killer of an innocent nine (9) year old girl was living one floor below in the maximum security prison in Maryland, which has since abolished the death penalty.
Through this EU Rendez-Vous event, Ambassador O’Sullivan and Dean Burnholdt made an effective case for reevaluating a thorny issue especially as the election fever heats up in which politicians vie for appearing tough on crime for fear of meeting fate like Governor Michael Dukakis’ failed presidential bid.
Diplomacy is all about engagement and the EU provided a very useful handout – “The European Union, A Guide for Americans.” For European Studies, Ambassador O’Sullivan’s message is right on point when he said: “we need a deep mutual understanding of: each other’s values; our respective histories and political evolutions; how decisions are made on each side of the Atlantic; how our economies and currencies work; and our respective and complimentary actions on the world stage.”
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
