Kampala (Fides Service) - "The problem of the death penalty cannot be separated from the question of human rights" says Fr Tarcisio Agostoni, Comboni missionary, working in Africa since 1951, who has at heart the question of the death penalty. "When a country assumes the right to execute one of its citizens it means that other rights are in danger. When the trunk of a tree is cut its branches die and fall. The tree trunk is the right to life and the branches are all the other rights. As Christians we have the duty always and everywhere to defend life. When we oppose the death penalty we are more credible when we oppose abortion. Thank God in Africa there are countries which realise that the death penalty is useless and contrary to the principles of humanity. Among the countries which have abolished capital punishment, Mozambique and South Africa, two nations which experienced terrible civil war. It is significant that when these countries finally achieved peace they realised that the basis of a nation is respect for life, even the life of those who commit the most terrible crimes. At the level of human justice the death penalty does not deter crime. I know this well because for years I have served in death row of Kampala prison in Uganda. In ten years the number of inmates of death row increased. If the death penalty was a deterrent the number would not have increased it would have decreased. I cannot understand why great nations such as USA and China think they can fight death with death, when only life can conquer death". (Fides Service 29/11/2002)