Just One More Step: Ratifying International and Regional Protocols

Protocol

on 28 March 2022

The World Coalition’s objective is the ratification of the international and regional protocols on the abolition of the death penalty by all the states that have abolished the death penalty in law or in practice.

 

As of 20 July 2023, 90 of the 173 States parties to the ICCPR have ratified or acceded to its Second Optional Protocol aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, most recently Kazakhstan (24 March 2022), Armenia (18 March 2021), Angola (2 October 2019) and the State of Palestine (18 March 2019).

Map of ratifications of International and regional treaties aimed at the abolition of the death penalty Map of ratifications of International and regional treaties aimed at the abolition of the death penalty updated daily by peinedemort.org

Increasing the Number of Ratifications

For the coming year, the World Coalition identified 10 target countries: Burundi, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo, Fiji, Ghana, Papua New Guinea,  Samoa, Suriname and Zambia.

Supporting Regional Protocol

In addition to the focus on target countries, the World Coalition will also target a specific protocol each year, according to the following calendar:

2023: African Protocol
Adoption by the African Union of a Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the abolition of the death penalty.

2024: UN Protocol
35th anniversary of the adoption of the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.

2025: American Protocol
35th anniversary of the adoption of the Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights to Abolish the Death Penalty.

2026: UN Protocol
35th anniversary of the entry into force of the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.

2027: European Protocol
25th anniversary of the adoption of Protocol No. 13 to the  Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms concerning the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances.

Securing Abolition in Law After the Ratification

The World Coalition monitors respect for the provisions of the international and regional protocols, particularly in the case of States which ratified a protocol but have not abolished the death penalty in law. As of 20 July 2023, three countries are concerned: Liberia, the Gambia and the State of Palestine.

Mongolia acceded to the Second Optional Protocol on 13 March 2012 and abolished the death penalty in law on 3 December 2015. Benin aceded to the Protocol on 5 July 2012 and abolished in January 2016.

Preventing the Reintroduction of the Death Penalty

Finally, the campaign also focuses on the countries that threaten to adopt legislation that would allow for the return of the death penalty, after having ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, namely Turkey and the Philippines.

Take action

  • Spread the information!

    To increase the visibility around this campaign, we invite you to disseminate the Information Leaflet introducing the Protocols on your organisation’s website, on social media or in your Newsletter.

  • Write to policy-makers! Regardless of your organisation being in a target country or not, you can write official letters to advocate for the ratification by using the Lobbying Kit.
  • Organize advocacy actions at capital levels!The meetings with government officials are often the most efficient means to convince policy-makers to ratify the Protocol, you may use information from the Ratification Kits.
  • Mobilize local partners! Involve relevant national civil society, encourage the development of a national ratification strategy and participate to lobbying missions in the country using a Ratification Kit for Parliamentarians and other documents.
  • Work with international organizations: the UN, the Council of Europe, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights or the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
  • Share the campaign

    Share the campaign
  • Related document(s)

    Document(s)

    Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty

    By United Nations, on 1 January 1989


    1989

    United Nations report

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    More details See the document

    The States Parties to the present Protocol,Believing that abolition of the death penalty contributes to enhancement of human dignity and progressive development of human rights,Recalling article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on 10 December 1948, and article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted on 16 December 1966,Noting that article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights refers to abolition of the death penalty in terms that strongly suggest that abolition is desirable,Convinced that all measures of abolition of the death penalty should be considered as progress in the enjoyment of the right to life,Desirous to undertake hereby an international commitment to abolish the death penalty,Have agreed as follows:Article 11. No one within the jurisdiction of a State Party to the present Protocol shall be executed.2. Each State Party shall take all necessary measures to abolish the death penalty within its jurisdiction.

    Document(s)

    Status of signature and ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.

    By United Nations, on 1 January 1989


    NGO report

    frfr
    More details See the document

    Status of signature ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, including declarations, reservations and objections.

    Document(s)

    Flyer for the UN Protocol Ratification Campaign

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 1 January 2017


    2017

    Lobbying

    esfr
    More details Download [ pdf - 645 Ko ]

    This leaflet gives details about the importance of the Protocol for the abolitionist movement and explains the reasons behind this ratification campaign.

    Document(s)

    Lobbying Kit

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 1 January 2017


    Lobbying

    fr
    More details Download [ pdf - 798 Ko ]

    The kit aims at providing step-by-step advice on how to lobby government decision-makers at all stages of the ratification process. It includes: model letters , model press release, advice on how and when to use information contained in this kit.

    • Document type Lobbying
    • Themes list Networks,
    • Available languages Kit de Lobbying

    Document(s)

    Ratification Kit for Parliamentarians

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 1 January 2017


    Working with...

    fres
    More details Download [ pdf - 523 Ko ]

    Parliamentarians are essential to the process of abolition in several ways. They are central to law-making in their own countries and in most countries, the ultimate decision on ratification rests with parliament, which must approve ratification. This new tool will help them understand the importance and the process of ratification and it will help civil society engage with them.

    Document(s)

    Ratification Kit – Burundi

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 13 July 2022


    2022

    Lobbying

    Burundi

    esfr
    More details Download [ pdf - 162 Ko ]

    This Ratification Kit is designed for government decision-makers. It gives the procedure to ratify or accede to the Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and arguments to convince target countries to endorse it. Governments are not likely to have an expert understanding of the Second Optional Protocol. This document may contain answers to government concerns that will be addressed to you during your lobbying action.

    Document(s)

    Ratification Kit – Congo

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 13 July 2022


    Lobbying

    Congo

    esfr
    More details Download [ pdf - 155 Ko ]

    This Ratification Kit is designed for government decision-makers. It gives the procedure to ratify or accede to the Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and arguments to convince target countries to endorse it. Governments are not likely to have an expert understanding of the Second Optional Protocol. This document may contain answers to government concerns that will be addressed to you during your lobbying action.

    Document(s)

    Ratification Kit – Côte d’Ivoire

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 13 July 2022


    Lobbying

    Côte d'Ivoire

    esfr
    More details Download [ pdf - 194 Ko ]

    This Ratification Kit is designed for government decision-makers. It gives the procedure to ratify or accede to the Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and arguments to convince target countries to endorse it. Governments are not likely to have an expert understanding of the Second Optional Protocol. This document may contain answers to government concerns that will be addressed to you during your lobbying action.

    Document(s)

    Ratification Kit – Fiji

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 13 July 2022


    Lobbying

    Fiji

    esfr
    More details Download [ pdf - 154 Ko ]

    This Ratification Kit is designed for government decision-makers. It gives the procedure to ratify or accede to the Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and arguments to convince target countries to endorse it. Governments are not likely to have an expert understanding of the Second Optional Protocol. This document may contain answers to government concerns that will be addressed to you during your lobbying action.

    Document(s)

    Ratification Kit – Suriname

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 13 July 2022


    Lobbying

    Suriname

    esfr
    More details Download [ pdf - 115 Ko ]

    This Ratification Kit is designed for government decision-makers. It gives the procedure to ratify or accede to the Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and arguments to convince target countries to endorse it. Governments are not likely to have an expert understanding of the Second Optional Protocol. This document may contain answers to government concerns that will be addressed to you during your lobbying action.

    Document(s)

    Ratification Kit – Samoa

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 13 July 2022


    Academic report

    Samoa

    esfresfr
    More details Download [ pdf - 199 Ko ]

    This Ratification Kit is designed for government decision-makers. It gives the procedure to ratify or accede to the Protocol and arguments to convince target countries to endorse it. Governments are not likely to have an expert understanding of the Second Optional Protocol. This document may contain answers to government concerns that will be addressed to you during your lobbying action.

    Document(s)

    Ratification Kit – Zambia

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty , on 21 July 2023


    2023

    Lobbying

    Zambia

    fr
    More details Download [ pdf - 84 Ko ]

    This Ratification Kit is designed for government decision-makers. It gives the procedure to ratify or accede to the Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and arguments to convince target countries to endorse it. Governments are not likely to have an expert understanding of the Second Optional Protocol. This document may contain answers to government concerns that will be addressed to you during your lobbying action.

    Document(s)

    Ratification Kit – Papua New Guinea

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 21 July 2023


    Lobbying

    Papua New Guinea

    fr
    More details Download [ pdf - 82 Ko ]

    This Ratification Kit is designed for government decision-makers. It gives the procedure to ratify or accede to the Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and arguments to convince target countries to endorse it. Governments are not likely to have an expert understanding of the Second Optional Protocol. This document may contain answers to government concerns that will be addressed to you during your lobbying action.

    Document(s)

    Ratification Kit – Ghana

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 21 July 2023


    esfr
    More details Download [ pdf - 158 Ko ]

    This Ratification Kit is designed for government decision-makers. It gives the procedure to ratify or accede to the Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and arguments to convince target countries to endorse it. Governments are not likely to have an expert understanding of the Second Optional Protocol. This document may contain answers to government concerns that will be addressed to you during your lobbying action.

    Document(s)

    Ratification Kit – Central African Republic

    By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 21 July 2023


    Lobbying

    Central African Republic

    fr
    More details Download [ pdf - 79 Ko ]

    This Ratification Kit is designed for government decision-makers. It gives the procedure to ratify or accede to the Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and arguments to convince target countries to endorse it. Governments are not likely to have an expert understanding of the Second Optional Protocol. This document may contain answers to government concerns that will be addressed to you during your lobbying action.