Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Aug 31: Secretary general of Amnesty International, Salil Shetty, said that his organization wants India to sign the treaty banning death penalty. He informed that 135 nations have already signed this treaty.

He was speaking after accepting the felicitation offered to him on behalf of the citizens by a felicitation committee formed for the purpose on Tuesday August 30, during his visit here. The function was organized on the occasion of the elevation of Salil Shetty, a native of the city, to the post of the secretary general of Amnesty International. Amnesty International is a non-government organization, which has been playing a stellar role the world over to protect human rights. It has also won Nobel Award for its work.

“Voices against death penalty are becoming more and more prominent the world over, with passage of time. Because, this draconian provision snatches away from the citizens the right to live and other human rights. A criminal should be punished, but killing him is not a solution. This method denies him a chance to transform himself,” he opined.

Recollecting his childhood days in the city, Shetty said he cherishes the time spent here, and expressed his desire to watch Tulu movie, ‘Oriyardori Asal’. In a lighter mood, he noted that Karnataka coast has given birth to a large number of prominent personalities spread over various fields, right from underworld to Miss World.

Ajitkumar Rai of Kodialguttu Charitable Trust, Dr B M Hegde, vice-chancellor of Mangalore University, Prof T C Shivashankara Murthy, Fr Dennis D’Sa of Fr Mullers Charitable Trust, Dr Devaraj of SDM College, Lata R Kini, president of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and P C M Kunhi of Yenepoya University were present.