INDEX

For once, the annual conference of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty opened on an optimistic note.

After the Supreme Court held a hearing much awaited by the abolitionist community on January 7th, we all need to reassess our strategy for abolition in America, writes Sandrine Ageorges.

Executions are currently on hold in the US pending a Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of lethal injections. This is an opportunity for action from abolitionists, especially among the medical professions.

In the run-up to the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, action is increasing to call China to account for its copious use of the death penalty. Far from being a western whim, abolition of capital punishment in China would be a return to an imperial decision made in the 18th century.

The execution of Johnny Ray Conner, the 400th inmate put to death in Texas since the US reinstated capital punishment 31 years ago, has attracted heavy criticism from abolitionist activists and political institutions.