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World Day16th World Day Against the Death Penalty: Living conditions on death row
On 10 October 2018, the 16th World Day Against the Death Penalty aims at raising awareness on the inhumane living conditions of people sentenced to death.
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The conditions of detention of the people sentenced to death might differ from one country to another, but affect us all.
From solitary confinement in the United States, to the overcrowded prisons in several countries in Africa and Asia, the living conditions for the people sentenced tend to dehumanize and take away the dignity of individuals. Very often, death row prisoners become human beings on which the society does not invest anymore, as if, even before being executed, they were no longer alive, they were no longer considered as « human beings ».
In addition, death row prisoners have very little contact with their family and lawyers, as the access to death row is often very limited. Therefore, the conditions of detention affect not only the person sentenced to death but also the families, relatives and legal team.
The death penalty in practice
• 107 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes
• 7 countries have abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes
• 28 countries are abolitionist in practice
• 56 countries are retentionist
• 23 countries carried out executions in 2017
• In 2017, the top five executioners were China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan.
To know more about the death penalty...
... all over the world: read the facts & figures
... and living conditions on death row: read the leaflet, the detailed factsheet
10 things you can do to end the death penalty
1. Write to a prisoner on death row.
2. Send support messages to their relatives and lawyers.
3. Organize a visit to prison following the World Coalition's guidelines.
4. Organize a public debate and a movie screening with families of people sentenced to death, exonerees, their lawyers and experts. See our mobilisation kit for useful tips!
5. Organize an art exhibition (of art work made by the people sentenced to death, of photographs of death row, of drawings or posters) or a theatre performance...
6. Join the events prepared for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide.
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, Instagram 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 2018.
Call for initiatives
> On 10 October 2018, 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...
Get in touch with the World Coalition to tell us about events scheduled on October 10.
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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.
Campaign published on June 12th, 2017 -
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 2018!
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 10th, 2018 -
World DayOvercoming the isolation of the people sentenced to death and their relatives
One of the observations made by the World Coalition while doing the preliminary work for this year’s World Day, is the isolation in which the people sentenced to death might live.
Article by World Coalition Against the Death Penalty published on September 10th, 2018
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- Keywords
- International law Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment Torture Death Row Conditions
- Attached documents
- Leaflet - 16th World Day | English |
- Facts And Figures 2018 | English |
- Poster - 16th World Day against the Death Penalty | English |
- Mobilisation Kit | English |
- Detailed factsheet on living conditions on death row | English |
- Factsheet for Prison Staff | English |
- Factsheet for Lawyers | English |
- Factsheet on how to conduct a prison visit | English |
- Factsheet for the Media | English |
- Focus on
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World Day
16th World Day Against the Death Penalty: Living conditions on death row
On 10 October 2018, the 16th World Day Against the Death Penalty aims at raising awareness on the inhumane living conditions of people sentenced to death.
