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World Day15th World Day Against the Death Penalty: Poverty
On 10 October 2017, the 15th World Day Against the Death Penalty aims at raising awareness about the reasons why people living in poverty are at a greater risk of being sentenced to death and executed.
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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. -
World Day14th World Day Against the Death Penalty: Terrorism
On 10 October 2016, the 14th World Day Against the Death Penalty is raising awareness around the application of the death penalty for terrorism-related offences, to reduce its use.
Campaign published on June 10th, 2016 -
World Day13th World Day Against the Death Penalty: Drug Crimes
On 10 October 2015, the 13th World Day Against the Death Penalty is raising awareness around the application of the death penalty for drug-related offences, to reduce its use.
Campaign published on June 10th, 2015 -
World Day12th World Day Against the Death Penalty: Mental Health
On 10 October 2014, the 12th World Day Against the Death Penalty is drawing attention to people with mental health problems who are at risk of a death sentence or execution. While opposing the death penalty absolutely, abolitionists are also committed to see existing international human rights standards implemented. Among these is the requirement that persons with mental illness or intellectual disabilities should not face the death penalty.
Campaign published on May 21st, 2014 -
World Day11th World Day against the Death Penalty: Greater Caribbean
On 10 October 2013, the 11th World Day Against the Death Penalty is dedicated to the Greater Caribbean where few executions take place, but where a core of countries remain strongly opposed to abolition.
Campaign published on May 31st, 2013 -
World Day10th World Day against the Death Penalty
Significant progress to end the death penalty has been made over the past 10 years. Global momentum continues to build toward complete abolition, but work remains to be done to end capital punishment.
Campaign published on June 10th, 2012 -
World DayTake Action for World Day 2017!
Check what you can do for 10 October. Browse the calendar of events and the map to prepare and promote the events planned around the world on the big day.
Article by World Coalition Against the Death Penalty published on September 12th, 2017
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- Keywords
- Discrimination
- Attached documents
- Facts And Figures 2017 | English |
- Poster - 15th World Day against the Death Penalty | English |
- Leaflet - 15th World Day | English |
- 2016 World Day report | English |
- Mobilisation Kit | English |
- Model letter to governments | English |
- Detailed Factsheet on Death Penalty and Poverty | English |
- Factsheet for Parlementarians 2017 | English |
- Factsheet for Lawyers 2017 | English |
- Focus on
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World Day
17th World Day Against the Death Penalty: Children, Unseen Victims
On 10 October 2019, the 17th World Day Against the Death Penalty aims at raising awareness on the rights of children whose parents have been sentenced to death or executed.
