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Europeans Denounce Williams Execution

The execution of Stanley Tookie Williams sparked outrage Tuesday throughout Europe, where public aversion to capital punishment is widespread, sustained by memories of state-organized killings during the Nazi era. The disappointment was particularly strong in Austria, native country of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Many people there had hoped he would spare the life of Crips founder and convicted murderer Williams, 51.

Leaders of Austria`s opposition Green Party called for Schwarzenegger to be stripped of his Austrian citizenship, a demand rejected by Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel as "absurd" despite his government`s opposition to the death penalty. Most of the outcry in Europe came from opposition political parties, city leaders, human rights groups and churches, with national leaders remaining silent.

Capital punishment is illegal throughout the European Union. At the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI`s top official for justice matters denounced the execution. "We know the death penalty doesn`t resolve anything," Cardinal Renato Martino said. "Even a criminal is worthy of respect because he is a human being. The death penalty is a negation of human dignity."