All about Legal Representation

43 element(s) found

Document(s)

Death by Design: Part 2

By The Wren Collective, on 23 January 2024


2024

NGO report

Legal Representation

United States


More details See the document

Published in December 2023.

In “Death by Design” Parts 1 and 2, Wren investigated the state of court-appointed capital representation in Harris County—the death penalty capital of the world. The second report examines why that poor representation has thrived, and the ways that the judges overseeing those cases have enabled it to continue that way.

Wren recommends a total overhaul to the system of capital representation for poor defendants in Harris County, with either the public defender absorbing those cases or the judges establishing a new, freestanding capital public defender that is independent from judicial oversight.

  • Document type NGO report
  • Countries list United States
  • Themes list Legal Representation

Document(s)

Death by Design: Part 1

By The Wren Collective , on 23 January 2024


NGO report

Legal Representation

United States


More details See the document

Published in December 2023.

In “Death by Design” Parts 1 and 2, Wren investigated the state of court-appointed capital representation in Harris County—the death penalty capital of the world.The first report delves into the failings of the lawyers in capital cases.

Wren recommends a total overhaul to the system of capital representation for poor defendants in Harris County, with either the public defender absorbing those cases or the judges establishing a new, freestanding capital public defender that is independent from judicial oversight.

  • Document type NGO report
  • Countries list United States
  • Themes list Legal Representation

Document(s)

The Mercy Workers, Death Penalty Mitigation Specialists

By Maurice Chammah, The Marshall Project, on 2 March 2023


2023

Article

Legal Representation

United States


More details See the document

For three decades, a little-known group of “mitigation specialists” has helped save death-penalty defendants in the USA by documenting their childhood traumas. A rare look inside one case.

  • Document type Article
  • Countries list United States
  • Themes list Legal Representation
World Coalition Against the Death Penalyt

Article(s)

Les projets d’exécutions arbitraires au Myanmar doivent être arrêtés immédiatement. 

By Coalition mondiale contre la peine de mort, on 23 June 2022

Les organisations soussignées sont gravement préoccupées par la récente annonce des autorités militaires du Myanmar selon laquelle les condamnations à mort prononcées à l’encontre de quatre personnes à l’issue de procédures manifestement inéquitables ont été approuvées en vue d’être mises en œuvre.

2022

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Fair Trial

Legal Representation

Myanmar

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.

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Fair Trial

Legal Representation

Myanmar

Document(s)

Compendium of case law of the European Court of Human Rights on the death penalty and extrajudicial execution

By Jeremy McBride, Council of Europe, on 24 April 2022


2022

International law - Regional body

Legal Representation


More details See the document

The compendium’s aim is to assist national judges, prosecutors and lawyers from the 46 member states of the Council of Europe to deal with extradition or deportation cases when there is a risk of the death penalty being imposed in third countries or of extrajudicial execution. It also aims at enabling legal professionals from countries where the death penalty still exists to develop arguments based upon the reasoning of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. It contains relevant extracts from the Court’s case law, structured in a user-friendly way.

  • Document type International law - Regional body
  • Themes list Legal Representation
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

Document(s)

Defending Women and Transgender Persons Facing Extreme Sentences: A Practical Guide

on 14 January 2022


2022

Legal Representation

Legal Representation

Women

fr
More details See the document

Written by a team including experts in the fields of capital defense, gender rights, gender-sensitive mitigation and the rights of transgender persons, the guide includes sections on gender-based violence, women’s mental health, prison conditions, discrimination in the legal system, working with the media, and how to build a gender-sensitive team. It also includes a step-by-step gender-sensitive interview protocol that builds on resources developed by the anti-violence community and is tailored to the needs of defense teams.

Japan's flag

Article(s)

Protest Against Executions Ordered by Minister of Justice Yoshihisa Furukawa

By Center for Prisoner Rights and Japan Innocence and Death Penalty Information Center, on 23 December 2021

On 21 December 2021, Japan’s new governement executed three men after two years with no execution during which Japan hosted the Olympics and the United Nations Congress on Criminal Justice.

2021

Japan

Legal Representation

Moratorium

Document(s)

Advisory on the Increased Vulnerabilty of Women Migrant Workers on Death Row

By Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, on 3 December 2021


2021

Government body report

Drug Offenses

Legal Representation

Philippines

Women

fr
More details Download [ pdf - 1457 Ko ]

The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines issues this advisory to bring the Philippines’ attention to the heightened vulnerabilities of women Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Document(s)

Worked to Death: A study on migrant workers and capital punishment

By Migrant Care and Reprieve, on 24 November 2021


2021

NGO report

Fair Trial

Indonesia

Legal Representation

Malaysia

Nigeria

Pakistan

Saudi Arabia

Women


More details See the document

Foreign nationals, and within this group migrant workers, are a population that disproportionately faces the death penalty around the world. The data and statistics gathered by Reprieve and Migrant CARE for this report show that migrant workers as a sub-set of the foreign national population are at grave risk of human rights violations related to the death penalty, including arbitrary deprivation of the right to life in the context of unlawful death sentences and executions.

This report focuses on: states that receive migrant workers (‘receiving states’), in particular the states that make up the Association of South East Asian Nations or ASEAN (‘South East Asian states’) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (‘Gulf states’), and on states from which migrant workers travel to work (‘sending states’).

  • Document type NGO report
  • Countries list Indonesia / Malaysia / Nigeria / Pakistan / Saudi Arabia
  • Themes list Fair Trial / Legal Representation / Women

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

Document(s)

Fair Trial Standards in the Maldives in Dhivehi

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, Maldivian Democracy Network , on 10 August 2021


2021

Campaigning

Fair Trial

Legal Representation

Maldives


More details Download [ pdf - 449 Ko ]

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  • Document type Campaigning
  • Countries list Maldives
  • Themes list Fair Trial / Legal Representation

Document(s)

Fair Trial Standards in the Maldives (World Day Against the Death Penalty 2020)

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, Maldivian Democracy Network , on 10 August 2021


Campaigning

Fair Trial

Legal Representation

Maldives


More details Download [ pdf - 435 Ko ]

For the 18th World Day Against the Death Penalty this year is dedicated to the right to effective legal representation for individuals who face death sentences around the world. The theme of access to counsel reinforces the importance of fair trial standards in every legal system and judicial context.

  • Document type Campaigning
  • Countries list Maldives
  • Themes list Fair Trial / Legal Representation
World Coalition Against the Death Penalty

Article(s)

PRESS RELEASE – Indignation after 30 death sentences in Kinshasa

By Michel Kalemba, Suzanne Mangomba, Xavière Prugnard and Bertin Leblanc, on 4 August 2021

Kinshasa, Paris, May 27, 2021 Our organizations denounce the recent death sentences handed down by the High Court of Gombe, in the center of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, following violence against the forces of order.

2021

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Fair Trial

Legal Representation

Moratorium

Document(s)

2020 World Day report

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


2021

Campaigning

Legal Representation

fr
More details Download [ pdf - 1081 Ko ]

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 the State (in having access to a trained, experienced attorney, to have adequate time to mount a defense, etc), who consequently also face their challenges in the judicial system.

Having access to qualified and effective representation at all stages of a trial is important to ensure due process and can spell the difference between life and death for people facing capital punishment.

Article(s)

Take Action for World Day 2020!

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 10 September 2020

Take action now! The 18th World Day Against the Death Penalty is an excellent opportunity to publicly oppose the use of this inhumane punishment and to support those who are fighting for its abolition all over the world. Organising an event for October 10? Tell us all about it and we will promote it on […]

2020

Fair Trial

Legal Representation

Article(s)

Singapore Executes People Sentenced to Death for Non-violent Crimes and Threatens their Lawyers

By Dinda Royhan, on 19 September 2019

On 13 July 2019, Think Centre reported that 32 executions have occurred in Singapore since it ended its moratorium on the death penalty in 2014. At the same time, lawyers defending capital cases have reported receiving threats from the government. As of the date of writing, Singapore is among 24 world states that have not ratified the ICCPR and its protocols.

2019

Drug Offenses

Legal Representation

Singapore

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)

Makwanyane Institute Is Launched at Cornell Law School

By Sherrie Negrea, Cornell Law School, on 17 July 2017

Fifteen capital defense lawyers from eight African countries arrived at Cornell Law School on June 12 to begin eight days of training on how best to represent death penalty clients in the first session of the Makwanyane Institute.

2017

Legal Representation

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)

The World Coalition gathers in Oslo

By Federica Merenda, on 30 June 2016

On the occasion of the 6th World Congress Against the Death Penalty held on 21-23 June this year, the World Coalition gathered in Oslo, with about 150 delegates attending the Congress representing more than 50 member organizations.

2016

Fair Trial

Legal Representation

Norway

Public Opinion 

Article(s)

Improved access to unique global death penalty library

By Thomas Hubert, on 10 July 2014

The World Coalition has redesigned its online library to help visitors find the documents they need in its multilingual database of resources and campaigning tools on capital punishment.

2014

Clemency

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Death Row Conditions 

Drug Offenses

Fair Trial

Innocence

Intellectual Disability

Juveniles

Legal Representation

Mental Illness

Moratorium

Murder Victims' Families

Public Opinion 

Terrorism

Women

Article(s)

Lawyers’ manual published in traditional Chinese

By Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty, on 30 November 2013

On the occasion of Cities for Life Day on November 30, the Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty (TAEDP) and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty are proud to announce the online publication of the Chinese version of Representing Individuals Facing the Death Penalty: A Best Practices Manual. This publication is intended for lawyers who defend people facing the death penalty around the world.

2013

China

Legal Representation

Taiwan

Taiwan

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)

Call for world lawyers to unite against the death penalty

By Thomas Hubert, on 15 June 2013

The Paris Bar Association (a World Coalition member) and its Beirut counterpart have called on lawyers worldwide to increase efforts to defend those facing the death penalty and to push for its abolition.

2013

Legal Representation

Moratorium

Spain

Article(s)

Two perspectives on assistance to foreign nationals facing the death penalty

By Thomas Hubert, on 13 June 2013

World Coalition member Reprieve and the Mexican government share their experience of helping those facing a capital case overseas.

2013

Legal Representation

Mexico

United States

Article(s)

New defense manual to help lawyers in capital cases worldwide

By Thomas Hubert, on 29 May 2013

The World Coalition, together with Death Penalty Worldwide and the law firm of Fredrikson & Byron P.A., has launched the English and French editions of a manual compiling guidelines for defense lawyers whose clients face the death penalty at the 5th World Congress Against the Death Penalty.

2013

Legal Representation

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

Article(s)

Three years to save lives in Nigeria

on 25 April 2012

A conference to launch the project SALI: Saving Lives, was held in Abuja, Nigeria, on 27 March. It marked the start of the project activities while encouraging discussions on the issue of the death penalty in Nigeria.

2012

Legal Representation

Nigeria

Article(s)

Belize PM aims to amend constitution to resume executions

on 9 June 2011

The Government of the small Caribbean nation has recently introduced a Constitution Amendment Bill, which seeks to make it clear that the death penalty is not unconstitutional.

2011

Belize

Belize

Legal Representation

Trinidad and Tobago

Article(s)

CURE Conference weighs in on Nigeria death penalty debate

on 8 March 2011

World Coalition member International Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE) held its 5th International Conference from 21-24 February, 2011, in Abuja, Nigeria.

2011

Death Row Conditions 

Juveniles

Legal Representation

Nigeria

Nigeria

Article(s)

Abolitionists block Nigerian executions

on 9 July 2010

Legal action by local activists and pressure from international organizations have succeeded in stopping plans by Nigeria’s authorities to execute hundreds of death row inmates.

2010

Fair Trial

Innocence

Legal Representation

Moratorium

Nigeria

Nigeria

Terrorism

Article(s)

World Coalition takes part in UN death penalty report launch

on 30 May 2010

The World Coalition held a side event to accompany the presentation of the 8th Quinquennial Report of the UN Secretary General on capital punishment in Vienna on May 19.

2010

Death Row Conditions 

Innocence

Juveniles

Legal Representation

Article(s)

“We go to the prisoner’s village to question the witnesses”

on 28 February 2010

Caroline Muchuma, contributor to the round table on the vital role played by lawyers in defending those sentenced to death, describing her role as a lawyer and campaigner in Uganda.

2010

Legal Representation

Uganda

Article(s)

Book: a victory on the road to abolition

on 19 January 2010

The Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty has just published Staving off the Executioner, a book describing the Taiwanese abolitionist movement’s strategies, challenges and successes.

2010

Fair Trial

Legal Representation

Taiwan

Taiwan

Article(s)

Chinese death penalty targets minorities

on 19 November 2009

The recent execution of several Uyghurs and Tibetans after ethnic clashes in China was met with severe international criticism.

2009

China

Fair Trial

Legal Representation

Article(s)

Mexican executed in Texas

on 5 August 2008

Jose Medellin, a Mexican sentenced to death in Texas, was executed on August 5 despite serious flaws in his trial. The Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty denounces an “irrevocable breach of international law”.

2008

Legal Representation

Mexico

United States

Article(s)

Japanese lawyer indignant after her client is executed without notice

on 23 June 2008

On June 17, Tsutomu Miyazaki, Shinji Mutsuda and Yoshio Yamazaki were executed in Japan. Lawyer Maiko Tagusari, who defended one of the three men, denounces the rising number of executions in her country.

2008

China

Japan

Legal Representation

Taiwan

Article(s)

India: a “lethal lottery”

on 15 May 2008

A study of the rulings by New Delhi’s Supreme Court for more than 50 years concluded that “the administration of the death penalty in India is manifestly flawed”.

2008

Fair Trial

India

Innocence

Legal Representation

Terrorism

Article(s)

Saudi Arabia: why are foreigners losing their heads?

on 26 March 2008

Rizana Nafeek, a Sri Lankan servant sentenced to death by a Saudi court, is facing decapitation. ACAT-France and ECPM have joined forces to defend poor immigrants at risk of capital punishment in Saudi Arabia.

2008

Fair Trial

Juveniles

Legal Representation

Saudi Arabia

Women

Article(s)

Iran: Human rights and anti-death penalty activist Emmadeddin Baghi arrested

on 16 October 2007

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (WCADP) is greatly concerned with the arrest and imprisonment, on 14 October, of Iranian abolitionist Emmadeddin Baghi.

2007

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Legal Representation

Article(s)

The difficult struggle facing Iran’s abolitionists

on 3 September 2007

Iran has taken a dreadful step in the wrong direction in the summer of 2007, through a combination of an increase in executions and the repression of activists opposed to the death penalty.

2007

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Juveniles

Legal Representation

Public Opinion