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.

World Coalition member organisation Hands Off Cain will on July 31present Jean Ping, the chairman of the African Union Commission, with its 2010 award.

The British author of a book on Singapore’s death penalty is facing prosecution for criticizing the massive use of capital punishment in the Asian city-state.