---
title: 'NEW VOICES: Nobel Laureates Oppose Death Penalty, Decry Execution of Juvenile Offenders'
description: 'A gathering of Nobel Laureates in Rome concluded with a common statement calling for abolition of the death penalty and specifically decrying the death…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/new-voices-nobel-laureates-oppose-death-penalty-decry-execution-of-juvenile-offenders-1'
section: news
date: '2003-12-04T00:48:00-05:00'
updated: '2025-03-14T14:59:51-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

A gathering of Nobel Laureates in Rome concluded with a common statement calling for abolition of the death penalty and specifically decrying the death penalty for juvenile offenders. The statement noted "the death penalty is a particularly cruel and unusual punishment that should be abolished. It is especially unconscionable when imposed on children." Among those in attendance at the summit were Mikhail Gorbachev, former Israel Prime Minister Simon Peres, the Dalai Lama, Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Lech Walesa, Betty Williams, Jody Williams, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez, and a number of organizations that participated in the summit. (Fourth World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, November 30, 2003) [Read more about the summit](http://www.nobelforpeace-summit.org). See [Juvenile Death Penalty](/juveniles-and-death-penalty?did=205&scid=27) and [International Death Penalty](/death-penalty-international-perspective?did=127&scid=30).