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ENSURE THAT THE RIGHT TO LIFE IS RESPECTED EVERYWHERE<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />VATICAN CITY, OCT 2, 2007 (VIS) -  

 Archbishop Mamberti pointed out at the 62nd session of the General Assembly  that "forgetting, or partially and selectively accepting," the principle of respect for human dignity "is what lies at the origin of conflicts, of environmental degradation and of social and economic injustices."

  He went on: "The Holy See welcomes the initiative to hold the High-Level Dialogue on Inter-religious and Inter-cultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace which, ... will take place here shortly. Indeed, dialogue among peoples of different cultures and religions is not an option; it is something indispensable for peace and for the renewal of international life."

 Recalling that the year 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Archbishop Mamberti said "the most important part of our work in this context is to ensure that the inherent right to life is respected everywhere."

  "We must work to stop and reverse the culture of death embraced by some social and legal structures…. In this sense, the abolition of the death penalty should also be seen as a consequence of full respect for the right to life."

SS/HUMAN RIGHTS/UN:MAMBERTI                                            VIS 071002 (400)