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Article(s)
Ratification of abolition treaties gathers pace in 2012
By Aurelie Placais, on 20 March 2012
The ratification campaign for the international protocols on the death penalty is on a roll with three new ratifications since January.
2012
Angola
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Cambodia
Honduras
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Mongolia
Poland
Article(s)
More than 1,000 sentenced to death in Iraq in 8 years
By Dr Nasr Abbood, on 1 March 2012
The Iraqi institutions established after the US-led invasion and the fall of Saddam Hussein have reinstated the death penalty and extended its scope since 2004. In this op-ed article, Iraqi Coalition Against the Death Penalty president Nassr Abood calls for alternative sentences and for a strong stance from the international community.
2012
Drug Offenses
Iraq
Iraq
Terrorism
Article(s)
A Training on Advocacy for the Abolition of the Death Penalty in Sub-Saharan Africa
By Abdoul Razak Ahmadou Youssoufou, on 29 July 2019
The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty in partnership with FIACAT, and their local members ACAT Cameroon and Droits et Paix (Rights and Peace), organized a continental training course in July on advocacy for the abolition of the death penalty in sub-Saharan Africa in Douala, Cameroon. This training brought together abolitionists and experts from 23 African countries.
2019
Cameroon
Article(s)
Sharing best practices on ratifying the UN treaty to abolish the death penalty
By Aurélie Plaçais, on 25 September 2011
Belgium and the United Nations’ human rights office have held a panel discussion to promote efforts in favour of the strongest international instrument against capital punishment.
2011
Belgium
Mongolia
Moratorium
Russian Federation
Article(s)
Opening up the debate in countries with the death penalty
By Penal Reform International, on 19 September 2011
On 19 and 20 September, World Coalition member organisation Penal Reform International (PRI) is bringing 120 people from retentionist countries to London to discuss global trends towards abolition of the death penalty.
2011
Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment
Public Opinion
Syrian Arab Republic
United Kingdom
Article(s)
South Korea’s 5,000th day without an execution an opportunity for abolition
By Martin Carbonell with ADPAN and MVFHR, on 8 September 2011
8th September 2011 marks the 5,000th day without executions in South Korea. Houng-oh Kim, a member of the National Assembly and former Speaker, is aiming to introduce a new bill abolishing the death penalty to mark this occasion.
2011
Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment
Moratorium
Republic of Korea
Article(s)
Kirghizstan definitively outlaws death penalty
on 18 February 2010
The Kirghiz parliament has ratified the UN Protocol on the abolition of the death penalty as demanded by the World Coalition and its partner States, months after several leaders called for its reinstatement.
2010
Kyrgyzstan
Article(s)
India asked to maintain the moratorium on executions
By Emile Carreau, on 28 July 2011
After a six year moratorium on executions, India’s President Patil has rejected the mercy petition of two Indian nationals despite international outcry to maintain the moratorium.
2011
Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment
Drug Offenses
India
Moratorium
Article(s)
Inside Tunisia’s death row
By Delphine Judith, on 4 June 2013
Following the launch of the investigative report Buried alive: a study of the death penalty in Tunisia is launched, ECPM’s Middle East and North Africa officer Nicolas Bray presents the research carried out in December 2012.
2013
Death Row Conditions
Tunisia
Article(s)
Puerto Rico hosts a week of World Coalition events
on 16 February 2011
International abolitionists gathered on the Caribbean territory to promote their message and to show solidarity with the local authorities against capital punishment.
2011
Murder Victims' Families
Public Opinion
Puerto Rico
United States
Article(s)
Kyrgyzstan becomes 73rd country to pass irreversible abolition
on 17 December 2010
Following one year of lobbying led by the World Coalition, the Central Asian country has become a party to the UN protocol on the abolition of the death penalty.
2010
Kyrgyzstan
Moratorium
Article(s)
Strong support for US abolitionists on World Day
on 11 October 2010
On 10.10.10, the 8th World Day against the Death Penalty focused on ending the use of the death penalty in the United States of America. Since 2003, abolitionists have taken actions all over the world every 10 October to raise awareness and opposition to the death penalty.
2010
Juveniles
Mental Illness
Public Opinion
United States
Article(s)
EU-NGO forum: death penalty is a priority
on 6 August 2010
At a meeting in Brussels in July, European institutions and NGOs restated their commitment to a long-term partnership to oppose the death penalty worldwide.
2010
Innocence
Japan
Murder Victims' Families
Article(s)
Japan executions “a step backward for Asia”
on 30 July 2010
Activists in Japan and elsewhere have criticised Justice Minister Keiko Chiba for ordering two men to be hanged in Tokyo on July 28 despite her earlier abolitionist statements.
2010
Japan
Moratorium
Public Opinion
Taiwan
Article(s)
2009 Amnesty statistics: at least 714 executions… excluding China
on 30 March 2010
Amnesty International has released its report on the death penalty in the world in 2009. The organisation has decided to exclude China from its calculation due to the lack of transparency on capital punishment in that country.
2010
Belarus
Burundi
China
Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment
Fair Trial
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Iraq
Saudi Arabia
Togo
United States
Article(s)
From moratorium to abolition: Africa wants to make the jump
on 28 February 2010
Five African icons in the struggle against the death penalty joined together to debate the transition from a moratorium on executions to full legal abolition.
2010
Burundi
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Togo
Uganda
Article(s)
Spot opportunities and focus on education, abolitionists are told
on 24 February 2010
The workshop on “Defining strategies for abolition” was an opportunity for abolitionists to share views and experience on what works – and what does not – when pushing for the repeal of the death penalty.
2010
Ghana
South Africa
Switzerland
Taiwan
Article(s)
Flurry of initiatives against the death penalty at ACATs in the past year
on 7 August 2007
During the past year, the 28 member associations in the FIACAT network have given their abolitionist activities a boost. The issue of the death penalty is at the heart of their mission.
2007
Belgium
Burundi
Canada
Democratic Republic of the Congo
France
Luxembourg
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Article(s)
Divided opinions on death penalty in Belarus
on 8 October 2013
On the occasion of the World Day Against the Death Penalty, World Coalition member organizations Penal Reform International and Belarus Helsinki Committee are releasing a rare opinion poll on what people know and think about capital punishment in the last European country with the death penalty.
2013
Belarus
Belarus
Public Opinion
Article(s)
7th Congress – Preventing the resurgence of the death penalty
By Louis Linel, on 19 March 2019
The fragile victories of the abolitionist movement are being undermined by several states ready to resume the use of the death penalty, at the cost of abuses.
2019
Article(s)
ACAT-CI commits to the ratification of OP2 in Côte d’Ivoire
By N'guettia Yves Arsene Kouadio - ACAT Côte d'Ivoire, on 4 January 2017
Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture in Côte d’Ivoire (ACAT CI) has conducted advocacy activities between May and November 2016 in order to raise awareness on the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (OP2), aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. This project has been supported by the International Organisation of la Francophonie (OIF) and the International Federation of ACAT (FIACAT).
2017
Côte d'Ivoire
Public Opinion
Article(s)
Applause for Pennsylvania’s death penalty moratorium
By Death Penalty Focus, "Free Mumia!" French Support Group, on 23 February 2015
Newly elected Governor Tom Wolf placed a moratorium on executions in Pennsylvania on 13 February until concerns about the fairness of the state’s death penalty system are addressed.
2015
Moratorium
United States
Article(s)
Kenya’s new taskforce to review death penalty laws
By Nicolas Chua, on 11 September 2018
In December 2017, two Kenyan men challenged the legality of capital punishment at the Supreme Court, which resulted in Chief Justice Marage declaring the « mandatory nature of the death sentence » unconstitutional. Following this groundbreaking statement, the Taskforce on the Review of the Mandatory Nature of the Death Penalty was appointed on March 15 2018.
2018
Kenya
Article(s)
African Commission adopts draft Protocol on abolition
By Maria Donatelli, on 24 April 2015
At its 56th ordinary session, the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) put the abolition of the death penalty at the heart of its debates and adopted a draft regional treaty to help African Union member states move away from capital punishment.
2015
Article(s)
International support for abolition is continuing to grow – foreign ministers
By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 9 October 2015
The Declaration signed by 18 Foreign Ministers from different world regions, including several that are still on a path towards abolition of the death penalty, brings one common message: International support for abolition is continuing to grow, driven by an increasing awareness of the death penalty’s inherent risks and shortcomings.
2015
Argentina
Australia
Benin
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Costa Rica
Fiji
Haiti
Latvia
Madagascar
Mexico
Mongolia
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Spain
Switzerland
Turkey
Article(s)
Event on the UNGA resolution for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty at the World Congress
By Federica Merenda, on 27 June 2016
In the context of the 6th World Congress Against the Death Penalty, the World Coalition together with Hands Off Cain and Amnesty International co-hosted a side event focusing on the 6th UNGA resolution for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, whose adoption will be decided in New York in December this year.
2016
Moratorium
Article(s)
Irreversible abolition of the death penalty in Togo and the Dominican Republic
By Guillaume Colin and Aurélie Plaçais, on 27 September 2016
On 14 September 2016, Togo acceded to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on the abolition of the death penalty, joined on 21 September 2016 by the Dominican Republic. These accessions make abolition of the death penalty in Togo and the Dominican Republic irreversible.
2016
Dominican Republic
Togo
Article(s)
Pardon Prisoners On Death Row
By Lucy Peace Nantume, on 8 November 2016
At the end of October, the death sentences of more than 2,500 prisoners were commuted by the Kenyan President. The presidential power of mercy was also recently exercised by the Zimbabwean President, where 10 death row prisoners were pardoned.
2016
Clemency
Kenya
Article(s)
Experts analyse the relationship between poverty and the death penalty
By Dr. Lina M. Torres Rivera, on 18 June 2018
The International Studies Programme Overseas Relations Assembly and the Institute for Human Rights Research and Promotion (INIPRODEH) organised a forum: The Death Penalty and Poverty on the 89th anniversary of abolition of the death penalty in Puerto Rico. Eminent figures from the abolitionist movement and academia reviewed and analysed research into this issue.
2018
Puerto Rico
Article(s)
Towards the abolition of the death penalty in DRC: advances to be confirmed
By Olivier LUNGWE FATAKI - Pax Christi Uvira, on 13 December 2016
To date, the Democratic Republic of the Congo maintains the death penalty in its legislation. The proponents of the capital punishment argue that it remains an efficient tool for deterrence in general as well as a solution to the recurring criminal phenomenon hitting the country’s Eastern part.
2016
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Moratorium
Public Opinion
Article(s)
Cities for Life 2016: Let’s stay vigilant
By Emmanuel Trépied, on 19 December 2016
On 30 November, the International Day of “Cities for Life” was celebrated around the world. An opportunity to raise awareness among the civil society on the universal abolition.
2016
Public Opinion
Article(s)
Parliamentarians from Francophone Africa meet in Kinshasa to discuss the abolition of the death penalty
By Parliamentarians for Global Action, on 12 June 2018
The 1st and 2nd June 2018, Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), Ensemble contre la peine de mort (Together against the death penalty, ECPM) and Culture pour la paix et la justice (Culture for peace and justice, CPJ) organised in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC) a regional parliamentary seminar entitled “Abolition of the death penalty in Africa: the role of parliamentarians”, with the support of the European Union and of the Honourable Aubin Minaku, Speaker of the National Assembly of the DRC and Member of PGA.
2018
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Public Opinion
Article(s)
French youth event emboldens next abolitionist generation
By Bronwyn Dudley, on 22 October 2014
The testimony of an exonerated death row prisoners helped international students overcome initial awkwardness and launch into passionate debates at the invitation of Paris-based organisations on World Day Against the Death Penalty.
2014
France
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Morocco
United States
Article(s)
Sri Lanka: the death sentences of 60 prisoners commuted
By Elise Guillot, on 17 February 2017
Good news from Sri Lanka: by decision of the President, the death sentences of 60 prisoners have been commuted.
2017
Sri Lanka
Article(s)
Philippines: House of Representatives must uphold international law obligations ahead of first death penalty vote
By Amnesty International & other organisations, on 19 February 2017
Nine international organisations are calling upon the Philippines to uphold its international obligations and not to restore death penalty in the country.
2017
Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment
Philippines
Public Opinion
Article(s)
Mandatory Death Penalty for Blasphemy in Mauritania
By World Coalition Against the death penalty, on 11 May 2018
Through this joint statement twenty one national and international NGOs, calls upon Mauritanian authorities to reverse the recent adoption of a law on apostasy related crimes making the death penalty mandatory for blasphemy.
2018
Mauritania
Public Opinion
Article(s)
Discussion at the Human Rights Council of human rights violations related to the use of the death penalty
By Jessica Corredor, on 7 March 2017
From Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to abolitionist and retentionist government representatives and World Coalition members, participants to the Biennial high-level discussion on death penalty exchanged views in order to address human rights violations related to the use of the death penalty, in particular with respect to the prohibition of torture.
2017
Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment
Article(s)
ADPAN network reinforces its strength in Asia
By Jessica Corredor, on 22 August 2017
The Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network held its third AGM in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 20 July, followed by a national conference on the abolition of the death penalty in Malaysia and Asia-Pacific.
2017
Malaysia
Article(s)
Gambia and Madagascar commit to irreversible abolition
By Aurelie Placais, on 22 September 2017
on 20 and 21 September 2017, Gambia signed and Madagascar ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.
2017
Gambia
Article(s)
The United Nations Human Rights Council votes in favor of a new resolution on the death penalty
By Jessica Corredor, on 4 October 2017
After putting the death penalty at the heart of discussion, the 36th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council ended with the adoption of a resolution on the death penalty.
2017
Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment
Article(s)
The Greater Caribbean for Life rejects the call for the resumption of the death penalty
By Leela Ramdeen, on 9 November 2017
The Greater Caribbean for Life (GCL), an independent, not-for-profit regional civil society organization working towards the abolition of the Death Penalty in the region, rejects the recommendation for the resumption of the death penalty.
2017
Article(s)
« A new Gambia » welcomes the 61st session of the ACHPR
By FIACAT and World Coalition against the Death Penalty, on 21 November 2017
From November 1st to November 15, 2017, the 61st session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as the NGO Forum, took place in Banjul, Gambia. During the opening session, the President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, confirmed the “New Gambia’s commitment” to human rights.
2017
Gambia
Article(s)
No reason to delay commencement of DDAA 2017
By Charles Hector - Ngeow Chow Ying, on 4 April 2018
The Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act which was passed by the Parliament and received a Royal Assent on December 27, 2017, only came into force on March 15, 2018.This statement deals with the fact that there was no reasons to this delay and it has condemned 10 persons to the mandatory dealph penalty for drug trafficking between december and february.
2018
Malaysia
Article(s)
Asia develops into hub of abolitionist dialogue
By Emile Carreau, on 6 November 2014
World Coalition member, Community of Sant’Egidio, has organised anti-death penalty conferences in Japan and the Philippines, both of which were overwhelmingly attended. Further conferences in the region are set to continue.
2014
Cambodia
India
Indonesia
Japan
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Philippines
Sri Lanka
Viet Nam
Article(s)
Kazakhstan Penal Code reform runs counter to abolitionist trend
By Anne Souléliac (Paris Bar), on 22 July 2014
The new Kazakh Penal Code provides for an increase in the number of capital crimes, even though Kazakhstan has been moving away from the death penalty for years and has a stated policy of meeting international standards.
2014
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Terrorism
Article(s)
2007 Campaign : developing the world abolitionist movement
on 1 May 2007
The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty has obtained financial support from the European Commission for its 2007 campaign, an indication of its growing recognition and legitimacy.
2007
Article(s)
Mexico fights on after Texas illegally executes one of its nationals
By Thomas Hubert, on 23 January 2014
The execution of Edgar Tamayo in violation of an international court order spurs Mexico to pursue its efforts in favour of consular rights in the US, a diplomat says.
2014
Mexico
United States
Article(s)
Philippines’ Major Setback as Abolitionist Leader in South-East Asia
By Dinda Royhan, on 23 January 2020
As a prominent leader in the campaign against death penalty in the South East Asia region for the last decade, Philippines’ reputation is endangered with President Duterte’s determination to reintroduce death penalty in the country. The country’s legislators are now on its second attempt to pass the bills.
2020
Philippines
Article(s)
Punishing Sex Crimes: The Evolution of the Death Penalty in India
By Hédia Zaalouni, on 21 April 2020
The Death Penalty in India: Annual Statistics, an annual report published in January 2020 by Project 39A, details the application of the death penalty in India during the year 2019. It also describes developments in criminal justice and policy in the country.
2020
India
Article(s)
TAEDP Withdraws from Ministry of Justice’s Task Force to Research the Gradual Abolition of the Death Penalty
By TAEDP, on 30 April 2020
TAEDP Press Release, April 2, 2020The Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty made this decision after the Ministry of Justice, in total disregard for the rule of law, arbitrarily and illegally executed a death row inmate on April 1, 2020.
2020
Taiwan
Article(s)
Community of Sant’Egidio Calls for Universal Abolition with Cities for Life, Cities Against the Death Penalty
By Louis Linel, on 8 December 2020
The discussion was chaired by Mario Marazitti, who stood in front of broadcasted live images of the light-draped Colosseum in Rome, Italy, displaying the slogan of this international key event, “No Justice Without Life”.
2020
Italy
Malaysia
Public Opinion
United States
Article(s)
Sudan Repeals Capital Punishment for Homosexuality
By Louis Linel, on 31 July 2020
Sudan repealed the death penalty for homosexuality and apostasy
2020
Sudan
Article(s)
Malawi Supreme Court Reverses Abolition Decision
By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 18 August 2022
On 30 April 2021, the World Coalition published the following article on the abolition of the death penalty in Malawi. Since its publication, the abolitionist status of the country has changed. This article has been updated below. —————————-
2022
Malawi
Article(s)
Editorial: Amnesty International releases annual report
By Amnesty International, on 27 May 2021
On 21 April, we published our annual report on the global use of the death penalty, which shows that in 2020 the world got one step closer to freeing itself from this cruel punishment.
2021
Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment
Death Row Conditions
Public Opinion
Article(s)
Events, strong words and hard facts to fight death penalty in the Caribbean
By Thomas Hubert, on 11 October 2013
As World Day Against the Death Penalty events unfolded on an unprecedented scale across the region, local activists and international organisations took a firm stance against capital punishment across the Caribbean.
2013
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Guatemala
Jamaica
Public Opinion
Puerto Rico
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Trinidad and Tobago
Article(s)
Statement on the occasion of the adoption of the upr report of Mauritania
By Together against the death penalty, the Mauritanian Association for Human Rights, The Advocates for Human Rights and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 2 August 2021
Together against the death penalty, the Mauritanian Association for Human Rights, The Advocates for Human Rights and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty welcome the adoption of the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of Mauritania by the Human Rights Council.
2021
Mauritania
Moratorium
Article(s)
Statement on the occasion of the adoption of the upr report of Lebanon
By Ensemble contre la peine de mort (ECPM), on 2 August 2021
We welcome Lebanon’s position in accepting some of the recommendations on strengthening the justice sector and improving strengthening the justice sector and those aimed at improving the conditions of detention, including the fight against acts of torture and ill-treatment.
Lebanon
Moratorium
Article(s)
Joint statement for the 71st Ordinary Session of the African Commission
By ECPM, FIACAT, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 9 June 2022
Joint statement on the situation of the death penalty in Africa for the 71st Ordinary Session of the African Commission, signed by the FIACAT, ECPM and the World coalition.
2022
Congo
Côte d'Ivoire
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kenya
Liberia
Malawi
Niger
Uganda
Article(s)
Hope resonates globally on World Day against the Death Penalty
By Nicolas Chua, on 25 October 2018
On 10 October 2018, abolitionist forces around the world celebrated the 16th World Day against the Death Penalty in a flurry of diverse activities and events meant to raise awareness on living conditions on death row. Activists in every continent mobilized civil society, challenged governments and reached out to the general public in a collective effort to promote and advance the common goal of universal, worldwide abolition of the death penalty.
2018
Death Row Conditions
Article(s)
Public opinion supportive of the abolition
By Sarah Saint-Sorny, on 10 June 2022
The 31st Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice of the ODC took place in Vienna from the 16th to the 20th of May 2022. At this occasion, the Japan Federation of Bar Associations organized a side-event: “Abolishing the Death Penalty: Public Opinion and the Road to Abolition”, which was held online […]
2022
France
Japan
Public Opinion
United States
Article(s)
Burundi: Promising advocacy workshop for the ratification of the abolitionist treaty
By Sarah Saint-Sorny, on 10 June 2022
On April 25, 2022, the Burundian Prison Observatory (BPO) organized a one-day advocacy workshop on the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (OP2-ICCPR) with the support of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty.
Burundi
Article(s)
Advocating for the Adoption of the Draft Protocol by the African Union: A Step in the Right Direction for Abolition in Africa
By Florence Venunye Ayivor-Vieira and Hervé Nsambimana, on 15 December 2023
Advocacy in Addis-Ababa On the 10 October 2023, the FIACAT (International Federation of ACATs), and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, represented by Ms. Florence Ayivor-Vieira of ACAT-Ghana and Mr. Hervé Nsabimana of CODHAS (Centre d’observation des Droits de l’Homme et d’Assistance Sociale), Co-Chairpersons of the World Coalition’s working group on the draft protocol […]
2023
Trend Towards Abolition
Article(s)
Progress and impediments on path to abolition in U.S.
By Russ Feingold & Christopher Wright Durocher, on 3 April 2024
When President Biden won the 2020 election, he became the first successful U.S. presidential candidate to publicly oppose the death penalty.
2024
United States
Article(s)
The death penalty in the DRC: an illusory means of combating impunity in the face of human rights implementation
By Mr Olivier LUNGWE FATAKI of Pax Christi Uvira, absl, on 30 August 2024
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the States which has retained the death penalty in its legal arsenal, although applies a de facto moratorium on executions since 2003.
2024
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Article(s)
Abolition of the death penalty at the United Nations Human Rights Council 54th session
on 30 August 2024
The United Nations Human Rights Council met for its 54th Regular Session from September 11 to October 13, 2023. If you missed it, here is what happened regarding the abolition of the death penalty!
Trend Towards Abolition
Article(s)
National conference gives Lebanese abolitionist movement a boost
By Thomas Hubert, on 14 February 2014
Several hundred activists, experts and political leaders met in Beirut at the end of January to push the abolitionist cause with the Lebanese authorities and organise their movement at the national level.
2014
Lebanon
Moratorium
Article(s)
Top UN representatives take stance on death penalty at Human Rights Council
By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 14 March 2014
From UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to abolitionist and retentionist government ministers and World Coalition members, participants to a recent discussion on the death penalty placed the issue high on the international agenda.
2014
Afghanistan
Benin
Brazil
Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Mongolia
Morocco
Myanmar
Namibia
Pakistan
Saudi Arabia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sudan
United States
Article(s)
Iraq’s frantic executions pace linked to serious human rights violations
By Thomas Hubert, on 27 March 2014
Iraq emerges as the country with the fastest-growing number of executions in Amnesty International’s new annual report on the death penalty. The World Coalition’s submission for Iraq’s upcoming UN human rights review calls for a moratorium on abusive executions.
2014
Fair Trial
Iraq
Iraq
Terrorism
Article(s)
New Hampshire one vote short of abolition
By Emile Carreau, on 25 April 2014
A bill to repeal the death penalty in the US state of New Hampshire was blocked in the Senate on 22 April with votes for and against the bill deadlocked at 12-12. Despite the disappointment, Renny Cushing, Executive Director of World Coalition member organisation Murder Victims’ Families for Human Rights, sees some positives.
2014
United States
Article(s)
Awareness Building Workshop with African Union Members
By Bronwyn Dudley, on 14 May 2019
The end of March saw a first of its kind awareness-building workshop in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia for the permanent French-speaking members to the African Union. Moderated by the ACHPR’s Working Group on the Death Penalty and Extrajudicial, Summary of Arbitrary Killings in Africa in close collaboration with FIACAT, the World Coalition and the Organisation International de la Francophonie (OIF), the training focused on raising awareness of the Draft Protocol on the Abolition of the Death Penalty.
2019
Article(s)
ADPAN network strengthens abolitionists across Asia
By Aurélie Plaçais (in Taipei, Taiwan), on 9 December 2014
The Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network, a coalition hosted by Amnesty International in London since 2006, has become an independent organisation registered in Malaysia and held its first AGM in Taipei, Taiwan on 4-5 December.
2014
China
Japan
Malaysia
Mongolia
Public Opinion
Republic of Korea
Taiwan
Taiwan
Article(s)
Abolitionist NGOs lobby to educate UN member states in Geneva
By Aurélie Plaçais, on 22 April 2015
Several World Coalition members carried out intense advocacy activities during and after the March session of the Human Rights Council to prepare for the coming UPR session, during which Liberia, Malawi and the USA will be examined.
2015
Article(s)
Closing ceremony of the project « My pencil for abolition » at the French Ministry of foreign affairs
By Marion Gauer, on 27 May 2016
On May 23rd, 2016, the closing ceremony of the project “My pencil for abolition” took place at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This project was organized by the team of “Educating and Raising Awareness on Abolition” in the association Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM): it consisted in involving a few middle and high school’s classes, from Lorraine, Belfort and the Parisian region, in the elaboration of articles and cartoons in order to create a magazine committed to the abolition of the death penalty, known as the Abolition Mag.
2016
Public Opinion
Article(s)
World Coalition members share knowledge on UN advocacy
By Asil Abuassba (The Advocates for Human Rights), on 19 February 2015
Asil Abuassba, a Palestinian intern with World Coalition member organisation The Advocates for Human Rights, attended a training session to help global activists submit reports on the death penalty situation in their countries to UN bodies.
2015
Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment
Death Row Conditions
Fair Trial
Innocence
Intellectual Disability
Juveniles
Mental Illness
Article(s)
ECPM takes social media campaign to the fair ground
By Bronwyn Dudley, on 16 September 2014
World Coalition member organisation Ensemble contre la peine de mort (ECPM) was at September’s Fête de l’Humanité in Paris to spread awareness of the 12th World Day Against the Death Penalty on October 10.
2014
France
Intellectual Disability
Mental Illness
Article(s)
Belarus ends more than one year without execution
By Daria Gribanova, on 14 April 2014
Despite an execution this month, Amnesty International’s latest annual report on the death penalty shows Belarus did not kill any prisoner last year, meaning Europe and Central Asia was execution-free for the first time since 2009. This achievement bolsters local abolitionists – despite the risks they face in their activism.
2014
Belarus
Belarus
Moratorium
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)
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)
Hank Skinner’s execution stayed amid international action
on 25 March 2010
The American death row inmate heard the news less than one hour before he was scheduled to die. From Huntsville to Paris, activists demand that new evidence be examined.
2010
Innocence
United States
Article(s)
Flurry of educational events on World Day Against the Death Penalty
on 6 November 2009
An abolitionist wave of marches, cultural happenings, petition signings and educational events swept across the world for the 7th World Day on October 10.
2009
Australia
Clemency
Democratic Republic of the Congo
India
Indonesia
Innocence
Public Opinion
Taiwan
United States
Article(s)
Activists from Burundi, Rwanda and DR Congo join forces
on 3 December 2008
The Great Lakes Regional Coalition Against the Death Penalty held its first meeting on November 17 in Kinshasa. Its lobbying efforts have accelerated Burundi’s legislative process.
2008
Burundi
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Moratorium
Rwanda
Article(s)
Jamaica vote illustrates retentionist trend in the Caribbean
on 9 January 2009
Jamaican lawmakers voted to keep capital punishment and the government seems determined to use it. Caribbean abolitionists are battling similar moves across the region.
2009
Jamaica
Public Opinion
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Article(s)
China reduces the number of crimes punishable by death to 46, but keeps drug trafficking in the list
By Aurélie Plaçais, on 7 October 2015
China removes nine non-violent and rarely used criminal offenses from capital punishment.
2015
China
Drug Offenses
Article(s)
Moving away from the death penalty in Asia
By Sandra Babcock (DeathPenaltyWorldwide.org) in Bangkok, on 25 October 2013
Following up on the World Day Against the Death Penalty, successive meetings in Thailand and in China highlight decreasing support for capital punishment among Asian governments and public opinion.
2013
Brunei Darussalam
China
Japan
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Moratorium
Myanmar
Public Opinion
Thailand
Article(s)
Moving towards an inter-Arab coalition against the death penalty
on 1 May 2007
As of today, no country in North Africa and the Middle-East has yet abolished the death penalty. However, there are positive signs that the region is now ready to debate the issue – as can be seen from the profusion of discussions and exchanges that took place during the 3 rd World Congress against the Death Penalty.
2007
Public Opinion
Women
Article(s)
Connecticut increases momentum for abolition
By Elizabeth Zitrin, on 13 April 2012
Lawmakers in the US State of Connecticut have abolished capital punishment and the State’s governor has said that he would sign the bill into law. Elizabeth Zitrin of the US NGO Death Penalty Focus chairs the World Coalition’s working group on the United States. She writes on the significance of this news for the wider abolitionist movement.
2012
Murder Victims' Families
United States
Article(s)
“Look at us with a merciful eye”
By Human Rights Watch, on 5 March 2013
Human Rights Watch is launching a 30-page report on juvenile offenders awaiting execution on Yemen’s death row.
2013
Juveniles
Yemen
Yemen