12th World Day Against the Death Penalty
World Day
On 10 October 2014, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and other abolitionists worldwide will mark the 12th World Day Against the Death Penalty by drawing attention to the special concerns faced by accused and condemned prisoners with mental health problems. While opposing the death penalty absolutely, abolitionists are also concerned to see existing protections implemented. Among these is the requirement in human rights standards that persons with serious mental illness or intellectual disabilities should not face the death penalty.
The death penalty, where it is provided for in law, is required to be reserved for the most serious offenders (the “worst of the worst”) and to offer the highest level of protection for those subject to it. International standards provide protection for specific populations who should never be subject to execution: children, pregnant women and “the insane”. Between 2010 and 2013, only 31 countries carried out executions. The overwhelming majority of states in the world – more than 160 – did not resort to the death penalty in the same period. The decades-long trend towards abolition continues. However, while the death penalty remains, persons with mental disabilities are at risk of being sentenced to death and executed in breach of international standards.
