"If I can demonstrate that the death penalty is neither useful nor necessary, I will have won the cause of humanity". Even today the thought of the famous jurist Cesare Beccaria, author of the treatise Crimes and Punishments, inspires reflections and analysis on justice and its course. Forerunner of the main values of justice and equity that today guide major international conventions, he was chosen to be depicted in a bust. The bust has been donated to the Council of Europe by Italy thanks to the Romualdo Del Bianco Foundation to celebrate the Semester of the Italian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The tree whose 'good fruit' gives life to life is the title chosen for the artwork that was created by artist Dino De Ranieri from Pietrasanta. It was unveiled in Strasbourg at an opening ceremony in the presence of Luigi Di Maio, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić today.

Through the depicted figure, the work represents the values of the protection of human rights that have been at the core of the Council of Europe since its foundation, and for over 70 years have determined its activities. These include the abolition of the death penalty in particular, which is an essential condition required for joining the Organisation.

In 1786, thanks to the inspiration of Cesare Beccaria, the death penalty was abolished for the first time in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

The abolition of the death penalty is also one of the priorities of Italian foreign policy in relation to human rights. In fact, starting from the proposal of the first UN General Assembly resolution for a global moratorium on the use of the death penalty in 2007, which was strongly supported by the Italian civil society, our country has carried out several actions in this field. Since 2008, the initiative has been presented every two years and in 2020, as a result of Italy’s active participation, the resolution was adopted with a record number of votes in favour. In December 2014, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set up a Task Force on the Death Penalty with various representatives of civil society to coordinate the outreach activities.

For those who want to learn more about the Cesare Beccaria piece, its stages of creation   and additional details a scannable and interactive sign has been placed on the artwork that allows access via smartphone to information, historical notes and fun facts, giving users also the opportunity to upload and share content, photos and tips. This peculiarity of the "talking" signs forms part of “Luoghi Parlanti®”, the most recent project of the Life Beyond Tourism Movement. It consists of high-tech panels (in this case equipped with QR code) that, placed in strategic places, open a new way of living and exploring the territory, halfway between innovation and word of mouth, between exploitation of digital content and sharing of experiences, allowing people to feel the magic pleasure of interaction, encounter and exchange once more.