The death penalty is used discriminatorily, often against the most vulnerable people and should be abolished
The application of the death penalty is inextricably linked to poverty. Social and economic inequalities affect access to justice for those who are sentenced to death for several reasons: defendants may lack resources (social and economic, but also political power) to defend themselves and will in some cases be discriminated against because of their social status.
Poverty and the death penaly: insights and witnesses
Click on the photos on the map below to watch the videos of Adaobi Egboka (Nigeria), Robin Maher (USA) and Shreya Rastogi (India). In another video, Tamara Sialun, whose son was sentenced to death in Belarus, shares the great difficulties she encountered, with Andrei Paluda (coordinator of the campaign for Human Rights Defenders against the Death Penalty led by Viasna).
The death penalty in practice
• 104 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes
• 7 countries have abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes
• 30 countries are abolitionist in practice
• 57 countries are retentionist
• 23 countries carried out executions in 2016
• In 2016, the top five executioners were China, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
To know more about the death penalty…
… all over the world: read the facts & figures
… and poverty: read the leaflet, the detailed factsheet
10 things you can do to end the death penalty
1. Organize a public debate and a movie screening with exonerees, victims of terrorism, murder victim’s families, experts, to raise awareness on the reality of the death penalty. See our mobilization kit for useful tips!
2. Organize an art exhibition (photo, drawings, posters) or a theatre performance.
3. Organize a demonstration, a sit-in, a ‘die-in,’ a flash mob.
4. Join the events prepared for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide.
5. Call upon your government officials to follow the recommendations for World Day by using our model letter to governments of retentionist countries.
6. Write to a prisoner on death row.
7. Donate to the World Coalition against the Death Penalty or another group working to end the death penalty.
8. Follow the social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter: #nodeathpenalty
9. Mobilize the media to raise awareness on the issue of the death penalty.
10. Participate in “Cities Against the Death Penalty/Cities for Life” on 30 November 2017.
Call for initiatives
> On 10 October 2017, take action against the death penalty!
Join hundreds of initiatives organized worldwide
> Wherever you are
In Africa, America, Asia, Oceania or Europe
> Whoever you are
NGOS, teachers, lawyers, local representatives, parliamentarians, artists, reporters, religious leaders, citizens
> Whatever your plans are
Debates, concerts, press conferences, demonstrations, petitions, educational and cultural activities…
> If you are a member organization of the World Coalition with access to the prison administration in your country or if you are regularly in contact with people on death row or their families, or a member organization that wishes to do so in the future, you can Conduct your own study on the socio-economic situation of the people on death row by using our Research methodology sheet. Contact us for more information.
Get in touch with the World Coalition to tell us about events scheduled on October 10.
