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International Symposium on the Right to Life in Taiwan

Article(s)

International Symposium on the Right to Life in Taiwan

By Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty (TAEDP), on 12 January 2024

The Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty (TAEDP) held a series of events including an international seminar, prison visit, and meetings that took place from 19-22 September 2023 to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

2024

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Death Row Conditions 

India

Taiwan

intersectionality

Article(s)

Joint statement on the death penalty and human rights of women and LGBTQIA+ individuals

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 10 October 2022

20th World Day against the Death Penalty On this 20th anniversary of the World Day Against the Death Penalty dedicated to the link between torture and the use of the death penalty and in continuation of the 2021 World Day Against the Death Penalty dedicated to women facing capital punishment, sentenced to death, executed, pardoned […]

2022

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Death Row Conditions 

Fair Trial

Women

Article(s)

A challenge to the abolitionist movement

By Sandra Babcock, on 16 December 2011

Over the last few decades, we have made great strides toward the universal abolition of the death penalty.  Nevertheless, despite the progress we have made, the death penalty remains entrenched in a significant number of states.  And even in those nations that have refrained from carrying out executions in a sort of de facto moratorium, […]

2011

Intellectual Disability

Malawi

Mental Illness

Mexico

Moratorium

United States

Article(s)

Unfair trials and the death penalty for terrorism in Iraq

By Majdoulin Sendadi, on 13 January 2020

From January until August 2019, Iraq executed more than 100 individuals accused of being affiliated with Daesh, according to Kurdish media network Rudaw.

2020

Iraq

Terrorism

how Malaysian politics has shaped the death penalty as our country knows it today

Article(s)

Malaysia and the Politics Behind the Death Penalty: A Tumultuous Relationship. 

By Michelle Chew, on 24 October 2022

On 6 October 2022, the Malaysian government tabled bills abolishing the mandatory death penalty.

2022

Malaysia

Trend Towards Abolition

Article(s)

Iran’s brave human rights defenders and their struggle against the death penalty

By Amnesty International, on 5 March 2018

As the world moves away from the death penalty, Iran continues to execute hundreds of people every year and comes second only to China in the number of executions carried out annually. Amnesty International recorded nearly 1,000 executions in Iran in 2015 and at least 567 in 2016.

2018

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Article(s)

The international responsibility of States

By Pierre Désert, on 25 June 2008

When a State ratifies a treaty, it undertakes to respect the undertakings that it has made before the whole of the international community. If it fails to meets its obligations and goes against the provisions of the treaty, it can be held responsible at international level.

2008

Deathworthy and Trapped Inside reports

Article(s)

Over 8,000 people on death row in South Asia

By Aurelie Placais, staff, on 3 May 2022

With few executions but one of the biggest death rows in the world, South Asia is at a crossroad. Recent publications explore mental health on death row and social and economic background of people sentenced to death in Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

2022

Bangladesh

Death Row Conditions 

India

Maldives

Mental Illness

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

Article(s)

Follow-up to the initiative on the conditions of detention and treatment of death row prisoners

By Nordine Drici (Planète Réfugiés) & Sandrine Ageorges-Skinner (ECPM), on 10 June 2019

PRDH, in partnership with ECPM and the University of Grenoble-Alpes, organized a side event on the conditions of detention and treatment of death row prisoners worldwide during the 7th World Congress against the Death Penalty in Brussels (27 February – 1 March 2019) which provided food for thought and some areas of work thanks to the presence of some thirty participants working in more than 10 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. The results of these discussions are shared in this article.

2019

World Coalition Against the Death Penalyt

Article(s)

Violations of the Right to Life in the Context of Drug Policies

By International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA), Corporación ATS Acción Técnica Social, IDPC Consortium, Washington Office on Latin America, non-governmental organizations in special consultative status, Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN); Capital Punishment Justice Project (CPJP); Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation (CDPE); Cornell Centre on the Death Penalty Worldwide; Eleos Justice - Monash University; Instituto RIA, AC; Iran Human Rights (IHR); World Coalition Against the Death Penalty., NGO(s) without consultative status, also share the views expressed in this statement, on 10 August 2021

Harm Reduction International and co-signatories congratulate Mr Tidball-Binz on his appointment as Special Rapporteur on summary executions. With this statement, we highlight key violations of the right to life enabled by repressive drug policies or reported in the context of drug law enforcement; and encourage this Rapporteur to pay specific attention to the impact of […]

2021

Death Row Conditions 

Drug Offenses

Fair Trial

Article(s)

Death penalty systems disregard mental health – experts

By Thomas Hubert, on 25 September 2014

Despite international and national standards banning the use of capital punishment against mental ill or intellectually disabled people, health professionals familiar with death row say it is full of prisoners who should instead be receiving treatment.

2014

Intellectual Disability

Mental Illness

United States

Article(s)

The Undercurrent: How we took part in the 7th World Congress Against the Death Penalty

By Wang Peiqi (Executive Secretary of the Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty (TAEDP)), on 7 October 2019

As night fell, Xu Ziqiang and Zheng Xingze boarded a plane for Dubai together with a group of TAEDP members. Belgium was their final destination following this layover. This would be Ziqian’s and Xingze’s first time on European soil; they were preparing to take part in the World Congress Against the Death Penalty, held once every three years.

2019

Taiwan

Article(s)

ECPM takes social media campaign to the fair ground

By Bronwyn Dudley, on 16 September 2014

World Coalition member organisation Ensemble contre la peine de mort (ECPM) was at September’s Fête de l’Humanité in Paris to spread awareness of the 12th World Day Against the Death Penalty on October 10.

2014

France

Intellectual Disability

Mental Illness

Article(s)

Calling on international bodies to condemn drug executions in Saudi Arabia and seek to stop them

By European Saudi Organization for Human Rights, on 1 December 2022

The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights and Harm Reduction International, and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty along with 32 other NGOs have called on the International Narcotics Control Board and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to act on urgent measures in response to the series of drug-related executions carried […]

2022

Drug Offenses

Saudi Arabia

China Death Penalty 2022

Article(s)

The Status Quo of China’s Death Penalty and the Civil Society Abolitionist Movement

By China Against the Death Penalty, on 15 February 2022

Translation of an article on the death penalty in China for the Beijing Olympics 2022, initially published by Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty in October 2021 for World Day.

2022

China

Legal Representation

Article(s)

Recapping and video recordings of the side events of the 2021 General Assembly

By Elise Garel, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 27 September 2021

On June 18, 2021, on the sidelines of the General Assembly of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, several events were organized. These events were an opportunity for the members of the World Coalition to address many issues related to the fight for the abolition of the death penalty.

2021

Juveniles

Legal Representation

Women

Ending violence against women 2022

Article(s)

Reflecting on the links between the death penalty and gender-based violence

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 25 November 2022

On 25 November 2022, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, through the testimony of representatives of abolitionist member and partner organizations, wishes to raise awareness of the links between the death penalty and violence against women and gender minorities and call out the unjust and […]

2022

Gender

Kenya

Sri Lanka

Uganda

Women

Article(s)

High-Level Remote Panel on the Moratorium Resolution

By Louis Linel, on 6 November 2020

On 5 November, a webinar gathering high-level panelists was held by Ensemble contre la peine de mort / Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM) as one of their initiatives for the moratorium campaign. Usually organized in New York, USA on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the event had to be facilitated […]

2020

Algeria

Belgium

Democratic Republic of the Congo

France

Italy

Moratorium

Morocco

Switzerland

World Day

Article(s)

The 18th World Day Against the Death Penalty Highlights the Life-Saving Importance of Effective Legal Representation in Capital Cases

By Gia Tongson, on 18 November 2020

The 18th World Day Against the Death Penalty explored the theme “Access to Counsel: A Matter of Life or Death” in light of the continued execution of individuals who struggle to have adequate support from their lawyers, who consequently also face their own challenges in the judicial system. Having access to qualified and effective representation […]

2020

Australia

Belgium

Canada

Congo

Egypt

Fair Trial

France

Kazakhstan

Philippines

Portugal

Uganda

Article(s)

7th World Congress – The rights of children of parents sentenced to death

By Louis Linel, on 8 April 2019

This 10th October, the World Coalition will celebrate the 17th World Day Against the Death Penalty, which is focused on the rights of children whose parents are sentenced to death or executed. In time for the 30th anniversary of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child on 20 November, this year’s theme serves as a reminder that the death penalty constitutes a widespread violation of human rights, impacting even those unseen victims. Let’s look back at how this theme was discussed and addressed during the 7th World Congress.

2019

Juveniles

Statement Saudi Arabia 2024 signatories

Article(s)

Escalating concerns over the lives of minors threatened with death in Saudi Arabia

on 3 May 2024

The undersigned organizations express their grave concern for the lives of minor defendants particularly the two young men, Yousif Al-Manasif and Ali Al-Mubaiouq, who are at imminent risk of execution in Saudi Arabia following confirmed information that the Specialized Criminal Court of Appeal (SCCA) has upheld their death sentences.

2024

Juveniles

Saudi Arabia

Article(s)

Death Sentences in the Democratic Republic of the Congo More Numerous than Previously Thought

By Bronwyn Dudley, on 12 March 2020

ECPM and CPJ published a report in December 2019 following a fact-finding mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that took place earlier in the year. The results of the mission were astonishing – while the number of individuals sentenced to death was previously estimated to be 300 at most, the mission uncovered that there are at least 510 waiting execution. Liévin Ngondji, co-author of the report and President of CPJ, was in Paris in February 2020 to comment. Photo on the cover of the Report : 22 Oct 2015. Prison Centrale Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo copyright Ben Houdjik/ Shutterstock

2020

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Fair Trial

Buildings

Article(s)

How Business May Contribute to Universal Abolition

By Louis Linel, on 29 January 2021

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have long been at the forefront of the movement for human dignity, as the main, highly-specialized – and sometimes isolated– champions for social justice. However, a new generation of advocates from the private sector, whose primary center of interest or area of expertise seems disconnected from international human rights standards, has been […]

2021

Public Opinion 

A candlelight vigil to protest the execution of Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam in Singapore (Mohd Rasfan/AFP via Getty Images)

Article(s)

Death penalty: Singapore’s growing abolition movement

By Kirsten Han, on 5 September 2022

Article first published by the Interpreter Public support for capital punishment isn’t as overwhelmingand unshakeable as the government often portrays it to be.

2022

Singapore

Are unofficial moratoriums meaningful?

Article(s)

Importance of understanding phases of abolition: the danger of ‘abolitionist in practice’ 

By Venus Aves, Bronwyn Dudley, and Shahindha Ismail, on 6 November 2023

In July 2023, the World Coalition hosted a seminar in Malaysia in the context of its “Countries at Risk” project. This subject of informal moratoriums solicited much interest as participants considered preventative strategies for stopping a return to the death penalty, and what environmental factors need to be considered to implement those strategies. This article […]

2023

Moratorium

Live Facebook

Article(s)

UPR 36th Session Debriefed on Facebook Live

By Louis Linel, on 17 November 2020

As the 36th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was being held under the auspices of the UN Human Rights Council from 02 to 13 November, the Advocates for Human Rights, a member organization of the World Coalition, facilitated Facebook live debriefings to cover the review of States that have not yet abolished capital […]

2020

Belarus

Jamaica

Liberia

Libya

Malawi

Maldives

United States

Article(s)

Iran Execution Trends Six Months After the New Anti-Narcotics Law

By Iran Human Rights (IHR), on 29 May 2018

On Monday, May 10, 2018, Iran Human Rights (IHR) reported the execution of Kiomars Nasouhi, a prisoner sentenced to death for drug offenses. This execution is the first drug-related execution registered by IHR since the latest amendment to the Anti-Narcotics Law was enforced on November 14, 2017.

2018

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Mid-terms 2023

Article(s)

Mid-terms: A first half of 2023 marked by multiple abolitions

By Nellia Halimi, on 9 October 2023

The first seven months of 2023 have been rich for the abolitionist community with a new abolitionist country, a new abolitionist state in the United States, as well as progress for abolition within multiple countries. However, some countries continue to use the death penalty and there have been alarming increases in executions.

2023

Ghana

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Kenya

Malaysia

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Trend Towards Abolition

United States

Uzbekistan

Reinforcing the Link Between Torture and the Death Penalty: 21st World Day Against the Death Penalty

Article(s)

Reinforcing the Link Between Torture and the Death Penalty: 21st World Day Against the Death Penalty

By Venus Aves, on 17 November 2023

“There is no way in today’s world to apply the death penalty in a legal way, in a way that does not violate international law.” This was the bold and unequivocal assertion of former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan Méndez in an online discussion with UN experts and exonerees organized by the World Coalition […]

2023

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Journalists participating in the media parley in Lagos © LEDAP, HURILAWS

Article(s)

Women Sentenced to Death Showcased on the 19th World Day Against the Death Penalty

By Elise Garel, on 3 December 2021

With the theme “Women sentenced death: an invisible reality”, the 19th World Day Against the Death Penalty aimed to highlight the issues faced by women who are sentenced to death, executed, pardoned or exonerated around the world.

2021

Cameroon

Indonesia

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Morocco

Nigeria

Pakistan

Sierra Leone

United States

Women

Article(s)

Taiwan abolitionists remind their government of its promise

on 13 March 2011

After fresh executions, the Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty has been campaigning to save the lives of five condemned prisoners, recalling the government to its commitments to human rights.

2011

Clemency

Death Row Conditions 

Taiwan

Taiwan

World Coalition Against the Death Penalty

Article(s)

Call for tenders for an external final evaluation

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 15 June 2021

External Evaluation of the project “Preventing the risk of resurgence of the death penalty in three abolitionist countries” of 36 months in the Maldives, Philippines and Turkey

2021

Maldives

Philippines

Turkey

Article(s)

World Coalition raises mental health issues in administration of the death penalty

By Thomas Hubert (in San Juan, Puerto Rico), on 22 June 2014

World abolitionists gathered in Puerto Rico between 20-22 June to take stock on progress in the crucial Caribbean region and prepare for the next round of the fight against the death penalty.

2014

Puerto Rico

CEDAW86 side event on gender and the death penalty

Article(s)

CEDAW experts welcome World Coalition members in the #CEDAW86 side event on gender and the death penalty

By Venus Aves, on 8 November 2023

On 22 October 2023, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (World Coalition) organized a closed-door side event on a gender-based and intersectional approach to abolition as part of the 86th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

2023

Gender

World Coalition Against the Death Penalty

Article(s)

How Likely Is the Return of the Death Penalty in Israel?

By World Coalition against the Death Penalty, on 22 May 2023

Early 2023, the newly elected government of Israel announced an ensemble of judicial reforms; including a new bill that would introduce the death penalty for acts of terrorism. As of May 2023, the judicial reforms have been put on hold by the PM Netanyahu. This article takes a historical perspective to recontextualize the issue of […]

2023

Israel

Death penalty: An irreversible torture: Discussion with special rapporteurs and exonerees

Article(s)

Highlights: Discussion on torture and the death penalty with UN experts and exonerees

By Venus Aves, on 6 November 2023

For the 21st World Day Against the Death Penalty dedicated to the reflection on the relationship between the use of the death penalty and torture or other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment started in 2022, the World Coalition hosted an online discussion with United Nations experts Morris Tidball Binz (UN Special Rapporteur on […]

2023

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Death Row Conditions 

Myanmar's flag

Article(s)

Statement on the end of the unofficial moratorium on executions in Myanmar

By the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 11 August 2022

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, and ACAT-France, ACAT-Germany (and their partner organization Federal Association of Vietnamese Refugees in the Federal Republic of Germany), Amnesty International, Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN), Avocats Sans Frontières France, Centre for Civil and Political Rights, Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE International), Coalition Marocaine Contre la Peine […]

2022

Moratorium

Myanmar

Article(s)

Hope resonates globally on World Day against the Death Penalty

By Nicolas Chua, on 25 October 2018

On 10 October 2018, abolitionist forces around the world celebrated the 16th World Day against the Death Penalty in a flurry of diverse activities and events meant to raise awareness on living conditions on death row. Activists in every continent mobilized civil society, challenged governments and reached out to the general public in a collective effort to promote and advance the common goal of universal, worldwide abolition of the death penalty.

2018

Death Row Conditions 

Article(s)

Global overview of women facing the death penalty

By Cornell Center on the Death Penalty Worldwide and World Coalition, on 10 October 2018

2018

Women

Article(s)

Greater Caribbean for Life addresses Inter-American Commission on death penalty in their region

on 19 March 2015

On Monday, 16 March 2015, the Greater Caribbean for Life (GCL) addressed the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on issues relating to the death penalty in the Greater Caribbean, during a dedicated thematic hearing held at the Organisation of American States (OAS) headquarters in Washington, D.C., USA.

2015

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Bolivia (Plurinational State of)

Brazil

Canada

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Cuba

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Grenada

Guyana

Haiti

Honduras

Jamaica

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Suriname

Trinidad and Tobago

United States

Uruguay

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Article(s)

The Sunny Center

By Jessica Corredor, on 30 July 2018

“Extraordinary things can happen to ordinary people and still be OK »The Sunny Center is a place like no other place in the world. Perched on the top of a hill, it is surrounded by lakes and hills that multiply as far as the eye can see. The landscape is breath-taking. But the landscape is nothing compared to the founders of the Sunny Center. Sunny Jacobs, 72, and Peter Pringle, soon 80, began welcoming innocent people into their homes in 2011.

2018

Death Row Conditions 

Innocence

Ireland

Article(s)

Child rights highlighted on the 17th World Day Against the Death Penalty

By Dinda Royhan, Majdoulin Sendadi, on 25 November 2019

On 10 October 2019, we celebrated the 17th World Day against the Death Penalty with various activities aimed to raise awareness on the death penalty and children as its unseen victims. Abolitionist forces in the two continents that gather most retentionist countries, Africa and Asia, were particularly active in raising awareness on the necessity to abolish the death penalty and its impacts on children this year.Through conferences, meetings, exhibitions, art installations, prison visits, radio broadcasts, flash mobs, dances and many other kinds of events, abolitionist forces in every continent took action to raise awareness about the use of death penalty in their national jurisdiction. The death penalty not only violates the fundamental right to life, but it also impacts the rights of children when the State sentences or executes a parent and has been found to have a long-term impact on the child’s best interest.

2019

Juveniles

Recontextualizing the threat of death penalty for homosexuality in Uganda

Article(s)

Recontextualizing the threat of death penalty for homosexuality in Uganda

By Méline Szwarcberg, on 2 May 2023

On Tuesday March 21, the Ugandan parliament passed a law that severely criminalizes people who have consensual same-sex relations. At the end of April, the law had still not been validated by the President Museveni. Among a range of harsh penalties, the law would allow the death penalty for the crime of « aggravated homosexuality […]

2023

Gender

Uganda

UN Human Rights Council

Article(s)

Abolition of the death penalty at the United Nations Human Rights Council 56th session

on 30 August 2024

The United Nations Human Rights Council met for its 56th Regular Session from June 18 to July 12, 2024. If you missed it, here is what happened regarding the abolition of the death penalty!

2024

Trend Towards Abolition

World Coalition Against the Death Penalyt

Article(s)

NGOs voice fears for dozens of Egyptian prisoners, and hundreds of others, facing execution for drugs-related offenses in Saudi Arabia

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 13 September 2024

We, the undersigned organisations, are gravely fearful for the lives of hundreds of prisoners threatened with imminent execution in Saudi Arabia on drugs-related charges, including 33 Egyptians on a single wing of Tabuk Prison.

2024

Drug Offenses

Saudi Arabia

world congress 2022 closing ceremony

Article(s)

A Very Moving and Inspiring Closing Ceremony

By Dunia Schaffa, on 30 January 2023

The Closing Ceremony of the 8th World Congress celebrated people who play an immense role in the process of the abolition of the death penalty, with an awards ceremony and a tribute. 

2023

Trend Towards Abolition

Access to justice and discrimination: the World Coalition organizes a briefing for the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls

Article(s)

Access to justice and discrimination: the World Coalition organizes a briefing for the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 26 September 2024

2024

Gender

Article(s)

“We are the future” – Kids Against the Death Penalty

on 28 February 2010

The teenage nephews of an American death row inmate started an anti-death penalty organization that has grown into a pillar of the Texas abolitionist community.

2010

Innocence

Switzerland

United States

world day poster

Article(s)

A Look Back at the 20th Anniversary of the World Day Against the Death Penalty

By Dunia Schaffa, on 27 January 2023

“Psychologically I am no longer human.”. This tweet by the World Organization Against Torture, quoting an interview with Richard Yav, a former security guard who was wrongly sentenced to death for 20 years in Benin, sheds light on the various impacts of torture.

2023

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Death Row Conditions 

Article(s)

The Rights of Children Whose Parents Are Sentenced to Death – The Case of Tunisia

By Lisa Borden, volunteer with The Advocates for Human Rights, on 30 October 2019

I joined Bronwyn Dudley of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, and Choukri Latif of the Coalition tunissiene contre la peine de mort (a Tunisian anti-death penalty NGO), to address the committee regarding Tunisia’s failure to implement the rights of children whose parents have been sentenced to death or were executed.

2019

Juveniles

Tunisia

Article(s)

Justice ministers meet as Colosseum lights up to say yes to life

By Community of Sant'Egidio, on 10 December 2012

The Community of Sant’Egidio conducted a crucial political networking exercise in favour of abolition in Rome at the end of November before 1,600 cities lit up their monuments against the death penalty.

2012

Benin

Burundi

Central African Republic

France

Gabon

Italy

Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan

Mongolia

Public Opinion 

Switzerland

Togo

United States

Uzbekistan

Zimbabwe

Article(s)

Expanded Ban on Death Penalty for Intellectually Disabled People in California

By Louis Linel, on 1 September 2020

The California State Legislature extended the ban on capital punishment for intellectually disabled people

2020

Intellectual Disability

United States

Article(s)

Japan’s death penalty under scrutiny

By The Advocates for Human Rights, on 5 November 2012

2012

Clemency

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Death Row Conditions 

Fair Trial

Intellectual Disability

Japan

Legal Representation

Mental Illness

Philipines flag

Article(s)

Adoption of Bill Allowing the Imposition of the Death Penalty for a New Crime.

By Grace Keane O'Connor , on 30 April 2021

Philippine House Bill No. 7814 provides the death penalty for a new crime under the 2002 Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

2021

Drug Offenses

Philippines

Statement Singapore 2024 signatories

Article(s)

Calling on Singapore to respect international safeguards and halt executions

on 3 May 2024

We are greatly concerned by the news that the Government of Singapore has issued at least five execution notices since 12 April 2024, all cases in relation to drug offending. Transformative Justice Collective, a member of the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network, reports that in four of these five cases, the execution was stayed at the […]

2024

Drug Offenses

Fair Trial

Legal Representation

Singapore

Moratorium Stays in Place in Sri Lanka

Article(s)

Moratorium Stays in Place in Sri Lanka and Anti-Death Penalty Petitioners Secure an Official Record in Court Proceedings to Protect Future Rights

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 28 March 2023

Petitioners challenging the potential resumption of executions in Sri Lanka experienced received reassuring news on 23 February 2023 when the Attorney General of Sri Lanka reported to the Supreme Court that the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe has agreed to not implement executions during his tenure.

2023

Sri Lanka

Trend Towards Abolition

World Coalition Against the Death Penalty

Article(s)

Death Penalty Information Center’s Annual Summary

By Dunia Schaffa, on 27 February 2023

According to the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) annual review, 2022 has been the eighth consecutive year with less than 30 people executed and less than 50 people sentenced to death during the year in the United States of America.

2023

United States

eminar June, 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya

Article(s)

East African Seminar on Best Practices in Kenya: A Key Gathering for the Abolitionist Movement on the Continent

By Wendy Adouki, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 15 August 2023

A privileged moment to exchange on the different abolitionist dynamics in Africa As part of the Africabolition project, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (World Coalition) and FIACAT (the International Federation of ACATS) organized a seminar for English-speaking African members from 19-26 June, 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya.

2023

Kenya

Trend Towards Abolition

UN Human Rights Council

Article(s)

Abolition of the death penalty at the United Nations Human Rights Council 49th session

By Aurelie Placais, staff, on 3 May 2022

The 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from 28 February to 1 April 2022. If you missed it, here’s what happened in relation to the abolition of the death penalty!

2022

UN Human Rights Council

Article(s)

UN High Level Panel on the death penalty and limitation to the most serious crimes

By World coalition against the death penalty, on 14 March 2023

On February 28 2023, the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council held its biennial high-level panel on the issue of the death penalty.

2023

Public Opinion 

UN Human Rights Council

Article(s)

Abolition of the death penalty at the United Nations Human Rights Council 53rd session

By World coalition against the death penalty, on 18 September 2023

The United Nations Human Rights Council met for its 53rd Regular Session from June 19 to July 14, 2023. If you missed it, here is what happened regarding the abolition of the death penalty!

2023

Trend Towards Abolition

Why is the Death Penalty not the answer to Rape?

Article(s)

Why is the Death Penalty not the answer to Rape?

By Morine Chauvris, on 8 July 2024

Every October 10th, the World Coalition against the death penalty and its members celebrates the World Day against the Death penalty. In 2024 and 2025, the abolitionist movement will focus on challenging the widespread misconception that the death penalty enhances safety for individuals and communities.

2024

Women

World Coalition Against the Death Penalyt

Article(s)

Joint Open Letter to the Minister of Justice of Malawi on the abolition of the death penalty 

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 26 July 2024

 Dear Minister of Justice, Honorable Titus Mvalo Ahead of this joint letter, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty would like to express its deepest condolences to the Government and people of Malawi for the passing of Vice President Mr. Saulos Chilima on 11 June 2024.

2024

Malawi

DPIC’s Report on the 2020 Death Penalty Usage in the US

Article(s)

DPIC’s Report on the 2020 Death Penalty Usage in the US

By Louis Linel, on 6 January 2021

TheDeath Penalty Information Center’s 2020 annual report highlights the continuing trend toward abolition in the US and the resumption of federal executions in a challenging COVID-19 context.

2021

United States

Participants split into groups working on research practical exercises. Copyright World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, November 2022.

Article(s)

Advocacy Seminar Held in Berlin for French-Speaking Sub-Saharan Africa Members

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 26 January 2023

In the margins of the 8th World Congress Against the Death Penalty, member organizations of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (World Coalition) and FIACAT’s African ACATs (Féderation international des Action des Chrétiens pour l’abolition de la torture) met in Berlin, Germany for an advocacy seminar.

2023

Benin

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Côte d'Ivoire

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Guinea

Madagascar

Mali

Niger

Senegal

Togo

Article(s)

Flurry of educational events on World Day Against the Death Penalty

on 6 November 2009

An abolitionist wave of marches, cultural happenings, petition signings and educational events swept across the world for the 7th World Day on October 10.

2009

Australia

Clemency

Democratic Republic of the Congo

India

Indonesia

Innocence

Public Opinion 

Taiwan

United States

Article(s)

Saudi Arabian Mass execution of 81 men

By Anissa Aguedal, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 4 April 2022

Saudi Arabia: the largest mass execution in this country in years The kingdom of Saudi Arabia executed 81 men on March 12, 2022, all of whom had been convicted of a wide range of offences, including “terrorism”- related crimes, murder, armed robbery, and arms smuggling. Those put to death included seven Yemenis, one Syrian and […]

2022

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

Saudi Arabia

88th CEDAW Session

Article(s)

Abolitionist advocacy at the 88th CEDAW Session

on 7 June 2024

The 88th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 13 to 31, 2024.

2024

Brazil

Estonia

Gender

Kuwait

Malaysia

Montenegro

Republic of Korea

Rwanda

Singapore

bahrain's flag

Article(s)

Calling Upon the Council of Paris to Overhaul Bahrain-Owned Paris FC’s Subsidy

By Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain, on 5 February 2021

This Tuesday, on February 2, 2021, the Council of Paris will announce its position on the renewal of the yearly €500,000 subvention allocated to the Paris FC.

2021

Bahrain

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Moratorium

Article(s)

Death penalty at the heart of human rights review

By Thomas Hubert, on 5 February 2013

The Taiwanese authorities have been conducting a voluntary assessment of the human rights situation in the country, culminating in the visit of a panel of experts in late February. The World Coalition is taking part in the process.

2013

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Moratorium

Taiwan

Taiwan

Article(s)

Day of the Endangered Lawyer: spotlight on China

By Emmanuel Trépied, on 14 February 2017

24 January 2017 was the Day of the Endangered Lawyer. This international initiative was dedicated to the harassment undergone by Chinese lawyers.

2017

China

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Legal Representation

Article(s)

No mention of death row prisoners in Mandela rules

By Nordine Drici (Planète Réfugiés) & Sandrine Ageorges-Skinner (ECPM), on 30 November 2018

Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 2018 is an opportunity to question the effectiveness of civil and political rights, but also economic, social and cultural rights, in the context of an increasingly globalized world that ostracizes, excludes, sentences to death and continues to execute.

2018

Death Row Conditions 

Article(s)

Abolitionists support death row survivors

By Thalia Gerzso, on 14 November 2017

On October 26, abolitionists all around the world celebrated the release of Cheng Hsing-Tse, originally sentenced to death in 2006. This successful outcome highlights the work of numerous organizationss which assist death row survivors.

2017

Innocence

Murder Victims' Families

Amnesty Annual report

Article(s)

Increase in the number of executions, but clear progress toward abolition in 2022

By World coalition against the death penalty, on 18 September 2023

On 16 May, Amnesty International published their annual report on the global use of the death penalty, which shows the overall number and trends in sentencing and executions in 2022.

2023

Trend Towards Abolition

Pakistan's flag

Article(s)

Pakistan’s Supreme Court Repeals Death Penalty for people with intellectual disability

By Louis Linel, on 10 February 2021

By commuting two death sentences, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled that capital punishment cannot be carried out to people with serious mental health issues.

2021

Intellectual Disability

Pakistan

Article(s)

Singapore must stop targeting HR defenders and media

By Aliran et al (Malaysiakini), on 20 February 2020

We, the 37 undersigned groups and organisations, and three individuals, are appalled by Singapore’s denial and response to the highlighting of alleged “barbaric” unlawful practices in execution method that was highlighted vide a Jan 16 media statement issued by Lawyers for Liberty (LFL).get to many more people when media reports on our statements.

2020

Singapore

Article(s)

A Training on Advocacy for the Abolition of the Death Penalty in Sub-Saharan Africa

By Abdoul Razak Ahmadou Youssoufou, on 29 July 2019

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty in partnership with FIACAT, and their local members ACAT Cameroon and Droits et Paix (Rights and Peace), organized a continental training course in July on advocacy for the abolition of the death penalty in sub-Saharan Africa in Douala, Cameroon. This training brought together abolitionists and experts from 23 African countries.

2019

Cameroon

Article(s)

Statement on executions in the USA

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 21 June 2019

As the worldwide trend towards abolition of the death penalty grows, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty notes with concerns that the USA has reached a total of 1500 executions since 1977.

2019

United States

Amnesty International, Harm Reduction International, Iran Human Rights, Transformative Justice Collective Logos

Article(s)

World Drugs Day: UNODC must act to stop the use of death penalty for drug-related offences and urge states to end executions

By Amnesty International, Harm Reduction International, Iran Human Rights, Transformative Justice Collective, on 27 June 2023

On 26 June, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is marking World Drugs Day with the theme “People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention”, and launched another edition of the World Drug Report. Sadly, as has been the case over the years, UNODC has failed to raise concerns over the continued use […]

2023

Drug Offenses

Article(s)

Joint Declaration on the Death Penalty and Women’s Rights

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 10 October 2021

As we mark the 19th World Day Against the Death Penalty dedicated to women facing capital punishment, who have been sentenced to death, who have been executed or who have been pardoned or found not guilty, the members of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and allies of women sentenced to death take this […]

2021

Women

Global Consortium for Death Penalty Abolition

Article(s)

Strengthening the Abolitionist Movement: Launch of the Global Consortium for Death Penalty Abolition

By World coalition against the death penalty, on 12 July 2024

Despite a growing number of countries worldwide joining the abolitionist movement every year, bringing the prospect of universal abolition closer to reality, the death penalty remains a significant human rights concern.

2024

Trend Towards Abolition

Article(s)

Kazakh criminal law reform could add capital crimes

By Thomas Hubert, on 15 February 2013

As Kazakhstan’s authorities prepare to introduce a new penal code, World Coalition members are warning against attempts to broaden the offences punishable by death.

2013

Kazakhstan

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

instrumentalisation of the death penalty - 8th world congress pannel

Article(s)

How the Death Penalty is Politicized: A Reflection on the 8th World Congress Against the Death Penalty

By Dunia Schaffa, on 27 January 2023

During the 8th World Congress Against the Death Penalty, in Berlin Germany, the phrase “the death penalty is being used as a political tool” was used frequently – in panels, in round tables, in speeches, even amongst the participants getting a coffee in between Congress events.

2023

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

United States

Article(s)

Highest execution numbers in Iran in 10 years

By Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, on 13 March 2012

Iran Human Rights has published its annual report on the death penalty in Iran in 2011. IHR’s international spokesperson Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam says the Iranian authorities are keeping the number of executions high because they use the death penalty as a political tool.

2012

Drug Offenses

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Juveniles

Women

Article(s)

A Moratorium acts as a “truce” for the death penalty

on 23 August 2012

Hands Off Cain published its annual report in August. President of Sierra Leone Ernest Bai Koroma wrote the introduction and the book has been dedicated to Rwanda.

2012

Benin

Burundi

Ethiopia

Ghana

Guinea

Latvia

Maldives

Mauritania

Mongolia

Moratorium

Morocco

Myanmar

Nigeria

Rwanda

Sierra Leone

South Africa

Suriname

Uganda

United States

Zambia

Article(s)

64th ACHPR Session: Concluding in Egypt, Where Sentences & Executions are on the Rise

By Bronwyn Dudley, on 14 May 2019

The 64th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) is concluding in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt. The ACHPR, the African Union organ steadfast in promoting and protecting human rights on the African continent, held the session from 24 April – 14 May 2019. Despite holding official human right’s discussions in a country where sentencing and executions are on the rise, the abolitionist voice was still heard.

2019

Forum Liberia 2022

Article(s)

Liberian Civil Society Organize to Push for Abolition

By Rescue Alternatives Liberia and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 29 April 2022

On 12 April 2022, Rescue Alternatives Liberia (RAL) orchestrated a one-day forum on abolition in Liberia with the support of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty. The outcomes of this event were very promising, and time will tell if abolition in Liberia is near.

2022

Liberia

Public Opinion 

UN Moratorium Plenary Session Vote

Article(s)

Statement on the Adoption of the 8th UN General Assembly Resolution for a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 17 December 2020

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty warmly congratulates the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the adoption of Resolution A/RES/75/183 for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, which was adopted by a great majority of 123 UN Member States on 16 December 2020.

2020

Moratorium

Article(s)

A decrease in the number of countries with the death penalty worldwide, despite an increase in executions

By World Coalition against the death penalty , on 20 June 2024

On 29 May 2024, Amnesty International published its annual report on the state of the death penalty worldwide. Amnesty International’s monitoring shows that in 2023 the lowest number of countries on record carried out the highest number of known executions in close to a decade.

2024

World Coalition Against the Death Penalyt

Article(s)

Plans to carry out arbitrary executions in Myanmar must halt immediately

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty , on 23 June 2022

The undersigned organizations are gravely concerned at the recent announcement by the military authorities of Myanmar that the death sentences imposed on four people after grossly unfair proceedings have been approved for implementation.

2022

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Fair Trial

Legal Representation

Myanmar

World coalition against death penalty

Article(s)

Second Optional Protocol: Frequently Asked Questions

By Pierre Desert, on 27 June 2008

What is it? How is it implemented? You will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Second Optional Protocol below.

2008

Article(s)

“It’s in Africa that we find the strongest dynamics towards abolition”

By Clémentine Etienne, on 24 April 2018

The third regional Congress against the death penalty was held in Côte d’Ivoire, in Abidjan, in 2018 from April 9 to 10th. This is a natural choice when one can know that Africa is named “next abolitionist continent” and that civil society recognized it as such.

2018

Article(s)

7th Congress – The new challenges of the abolitionist movement

By Louis Linel, on 5 March 2019

The actors involved in the universal abolition of the death penalty outlined the new challenges ahead in the fight for the right to life.

2019

Public Opinion 

Article(s)

Chinese lawyers hailed as “heroes for justice”

By Aurélie Plaçais, on 22 June 2013

The role of lawyers in the fight against the death penalty has been discussed from different angles throughout the 5th World Congress, but the testimony of Chinese lawyers caught most people’s attention.

2013

China

Fair Trial

Legal Representation

Article(s)

NGO Forum & The ACHPR: A broad overview of African prisons amidst tensions

By Jessica Corredor, on 16 November 2018

The NGO Forum, preceding the ACHPR session, was held from 20 to 23 October 2018, with “The Fight against Corruption” as its main topic.

2018

Death Row Conditions 

Legal Representation

Article(s)

New conservative voices crucial in New Hampshire repeal campaign

By Thomas Hubert, on 26 February 2014

After a House committee passed a bill abolishing capital punishment on 11 February, State representative Renny Cushing explains the next steps as the World Coalition’s Steering Committee prepares to meet in New Hampshire in April.

2014

United States

Article(s)

Justice Denied: A Global Study of Wrongful Death Row Convictions

By Death Penalty Worldwide, on 26 March 2018

The report is a first-of-its-kind comparative study of wrongful convictions. The report illuminates the similarities in wrongful conviction in six countries: Cameroon, Indonesia, Jordan, Malawi, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

2018

Cameroon

Indonesia

Innocence

Jordan

Malawi

Nigeria

Pakistan

World Coalition Against the Death Penalyt

Article(s)

Women sentenced to death: An invisible reality

By Advocates for Human Rights, International Federation of ACAT (Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture), International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA), non-governmental organizations in special consultative status, on 4 August 2021

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and supporting member organizations welcome the annual full-day meeting to discuss the human rights of women under resolution 6/30.

2021

Drug Offenses

Fair Trial

Women

Article(s)

World Coalition members share knowledge on UN advocacy

By Asil Abuassba (The Advocates for Human Rights), on 19 February 2015

Asil Abuassba, a Palestinian intern with World Coalition member organisation The Advocates for Human Rights, attended a training session to help global activists submit reports on the death penalty situation in their countries to UN bodies.

2015

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Death Row Conditions 

Fair Trial

Innocence

Intellectual Disability

Juveniles

Mental Illness

Article(s)

“Look at us with a merciful eye”

By Human Rights Watch, on 5 March 2013

Human Rights Watch is launching a 30-page report on juvenile offenders awaiting execution on Yemen’s death row.

2013

Juveniles

Yemen

Yemen