A Day of Action in Support of the Abolition of the Death Penalty
Observed every October 10, the World Day Against the Death Penalty brings together civil society organizations, institutions, legal professionals, policymakers, and citizens from around the world around a common goal: to support the call for the universal abolition of capital punishment.
Launched in 2003 by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, this day is a key moment for international mobilization. It aims to raise public awareness, strengthen advocacy efforts with decision-makers, and support those engaged in the fight against the death penalty.
Every two years, a specific theme is highlighted to explore a particular issue related to the death penalty, raise awareness, and encourage collective reflection on a global scale. Awareness-raising and mobilization tools are also shared to facilitate understanding of the issues and ways to take action.
Why a World Day?
The death penalty raises major issues regarding human rights, justice, health, and human dignity. It is an irreversible punishment and carries a risk of judicial error. Its application is often marked by discrimination and inequality, disproportionately affecting people in vulnerable situations.
Today, a majority of states have abolished the death penalty in law or in practice. However, thousands of people remain on death row worldwide, and several countries continue to carry out executions each year.
The World Day is an opportunity to remind us that abolition is a global trend and that progress remains possible in all regions.
Universal abolition is a shared responsibility, and there are ways to take action!
How can you take action?
Wherever you are: in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, or Europe,
Whoever you are… NGOs, teachers, lawyers, local representatives, parliamentarians, artists, journalists, religious leaders, citizens,
Whatever your projects may be: debates, concerts, screenings, videos, podcasts, press conferences, demonstrations, petitions, educational and cultural activities…
Take action against the death penalty every October 10!
Join the hundreds of initiatives organized around the world. To learn more, check out the reports from previous editions of the World Day.
Do you have plans for the World Day? Contact the World Coalition to let us know about the events planned for October 10.
10 things YOU can do to end the death penalty
(and for more ideas, check out our advocacy kits from previous editions, available in multiple languages):
Take action
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Organize a gathering. It can take the shape of a demonstration, a webinar, a remote workshop, a debate or a movie screening, an art exhibition or theater performance.
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Learn and engage with grassroots practices that promote healing and accountability processes in your community, like restorative and transformative justice.
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Build partnerships with minority group’s rights organizations (women, LGBTQIA+ persons, religious minorities, ethnic minorities...) to raise awareness on how discriminations are an aggravating factor of psychological and physical torture.
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Lobby politicians to abolish the death penalty and implement preventive security policies.
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Promote a culture of peace in your community and beyond. Advocate for policies and actions that foster dialogue and nonviolent conflict resolution.
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Join the events prepared for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide. Visit the World Coalition page for events near you!
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Donate to a group working to end the death penalty.
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Follow the social media campaign on Facebook, Instagram and X and launch your own using: #nodeathpenalty
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Mobilize the media to challenge the security narrative that supports the death penalty. Call for interviews with specialists, testimonies from victims, investigations on local cases and raising awareness campaigns that address the root causes of harm and violence.
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Participate in Cities Against the Death Penalty/Cities for Life.
Share the campaign
Share the campaignTo know more about the past campaign, please click on the following links : 2025 & 2024 – 2023 – 2022 – 2021 – 2020
To learn more about the abolition of the death penalty, check out our resources, available in our online library.
