Three million signatures call for moratorium on death penalty

The petition by the Rome-based organization called "Community of Sant'Egidio" called for a stop to the executions of prisoners. The signatures were collected in 145 countries and included those of such well-known personalities as Tibetan Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama, other religious leaders and Nobel laureates.

The community provides humanitarian assistance in 45 European countries and some of the poorest nations in the world. Annan told the petitioners that it would be up to the 189 U.N. members to respond to the petition, but he accepted it on behalf of the U.N.

"It is tragic that while the nations debate this problem (of the death penalty), people continue to be executed," he said. "When the change comes, it will be too late for them."

"And therefore I join you in appealing for a worldwide moratorium," he said. "Let the states that still use the death penalty stay their hands, lest in time to come they look back with remorse, knowing it is too late to redeem their grievous mistake."

"Only sovereign states have the power to grant your petition," Annan said. "I pray that they will do so."

(klei/dpa)