INDEX



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

Azerbaijan signs European Protocol for abolition in all circumstances, but still need to ratify it

Article(s)

Azerbaijan signs European Protocol for abolition in all circumstances, but still need to ratify it

By Aurélie Plaçais, on 28 March 2023

On 8 March 2023, Azerbaijan signed Protocol No. 13 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Azerbaijan

Trend Towards Abolition

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 

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

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

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 

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.

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

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

Zambia is the 25th African State to Abolish the Death Penalty

Article(s)

Zambia is the 25th African State to Abolish the Death Penalty

By Bronwyn Dudley, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 6 January 2023

On 23 December 2022, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema signed into law Penal Code (Amendment) Bill number 25, which bans the death penalty and the offence of criminal defamation of the president.

2023

Zambia

73rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission of Human and Peoples’ Rights: In- Person, Advocating Against the Death Penalty

Article(s)

73rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission of Human and Peoples’ Rights: In- Person, Advocating Against the Death Penalty

By Bronwyn Dudley & Connie Numbi, on 16 December 2022

After nearly 3 years, the ACHPR (African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights) met in-person in Banjul, The Gambia to hold their 73rd Ordinary Session from 21st  October – 10th  November 2022. 

2022