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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.
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As the World Day approaches, see what is happening in your country, contact us to add your event to the global list and share the Facebook invitation!
Don't forget to take part in the social media campaign by sharing a photo of yourself making a stand against capital punishment, and see how it can be used to liven up debates at real-life events.
Prisons are becoming the mental institutions of the 21st century.
This reflects, at least in part, the failure of societies to provide adequate care and support to people with mental illness and intellectual disabilities. It is important to stress that people with mental disorders do not, in general, pose a higher risk of violence than the general population although there is considerable evidence that they are at greater than average risk of becoming victims of violence. There are, however, numerous cases of people who were in need of mental health care that they did not receive who then went on to commit acts of violence.
What needs to be done
A number of actions by governments are needed to address the risk that persons with mental and intellectual disabilities will be sent to death row and possibly executed.
- Immediate implementation of existing standards barring the imposition of death sentences or executions on those with intellectual disabilities and those who are seriously mentally ill. The practice of executing such persons should cease immediately. Factsheet for Judges
- Renewed efforts to (i) ensure that all states have laws that embed international protections in their domestic legislation; (ii) extend protection to those with serious mental illness not covered by existing proscriptions against executing persons affected by “insanity”. Factsheet for Parliamentarians
- Adoption by national medical and legal professional bodies of codes of conduct ensuring that professionals do not act unethically or unprofessionally in capital cases. Factsheet for Medical Professions , Factsheet for Prison Staff
- Ensure that adequate mental health care is available for defendants in capital cases in which mental or intellectual disabilities are claimed as a factor. Factsheet for Lawyers
- Work towards the reduction of stigma against persons with mental or intellectual disabilities, particularly where media reports promote inaccurate public beliefs about risks posed by such persons. Factsheet for Journalists
To know more about the death penalty...
... all over the world: read the Facts & figures (download on right)
... and mental health: read the leaflet and the detailed factsheet (download on right)
Take action to stop crime, not lives:
1. Organize a public debate and a movie screening with exonerees, murder victim’s families, experts, to raise awareness on the reality of the death penalty
2. Organize an art exhibition (photo, drawings, posters) or a theatre performance from Dead Man Walking to Victor Hugo
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. Support urgent appeals and take part in social media action in the lead up to 10 October
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. Join an abolitionist organization
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 November 30, 2014
Call for initiatives
> On 10 October 2014, 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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VideoWorld Day Against the Death Penalty interview on France 24
On World Day Against the Death Penalty, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty's executive director Maria Donatelli speaks about the trend towards abolition and people with mental disorders at risk of execution on the international news channel France 24.
Video published on October 10th, 2014 -
VideoUN Secretary Ban Ki-moon: "The death penalty has no place in the 21st century"
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon supports World Day Against the Death Penalty and calls on all nations to implement a moratorium as recommended by the UN General Assembly, and to ratify the UN Protocol on the abolition of the death penalty.
Video published on October 10th, 2014 -
VideoMental health and the death penalty
On 10 October 2014, World Day Against the Death Penalty and World Mental Health Day, World Coalition president Florence Bellivier explains the links between mental disorders and capital punishment.
Video published on October 10th, 2014 -
World DayDialogue should make death penalty “a sentence of the past” – foreign ministers
Twelve governments from countries with and without capital punishment release a joint declaration calling for a world that “respects human dignity” on World Day Against the Death Penalty.
Article by World Coalition Against the Death Penalty published on October 09th, 2014 -
Mental illnessIndian ruling highlights importance of next World Day
On 21 January, India’s Supreme Court formally banned the execution of mentally ill prisoners and in doing so highlighted why this year’s World Day against the Death Penalty, which is dedicated to issues of mental health, is so important.
Article by Emile Carreau published on February 03rd, 2014 -
World CoalitionAGM focuses on mental health and progress in the Caribbean
The World Coalition is holding its General Assembly between 20-22 June in San Juan, Puerto Rico and invites the public to take part in the event.
Article by Inès Oulmokhtar published on May 16th, 2014 -
AGMWorld Coalition raises mental health issues in administration of the death penalty
World abolitionists gathered in Puerto Rico between 20-22 June to take stock on progress in the crucial Caribbean region and prepare for the next round of the fight against the death penalty.
Article by Thomas Hubert (in San Juan, Puerto Rico) published on June 22nd, 2014 -
World DayCalendar of events for World Day 2014
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. Browse the schedule 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 August 19th, 2014 -
World DayECPM takes social media campaign to the fair ground
World Coalition member organisation Ensemble contre la peine de mort (ECPM) was at September’s Fête de l’Humanité in Paris to spread awareness of the 12th World Day Against the Death Penalty on October 10.
Article by Bronwyn Dudley published on September 16th, 2014 -
VideoDeath penalty fails to spare people with intellectual disability: expert
Intellectual disability expert Dr Stephen Greenspan explains how US jurisdictions try to avoid executing people with intellectual disability in accordance with constitutional law - and why their failure means it would be better to just abolish capital punishment. 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.
Video published on September 25th, 2014 -
VideoSolitary confinement on death row is mental torture: psychiatrist
Dr Terry Kupers explains how the decision to move death row to solitary confinement units in many prisons has compounded mental health issues among prisoners - a clear violation of human rights standards. 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
Video published on September 25th, 2014 -
World DayDeath penalty systems disregard mental health – experts
Despite international and national standards banning the use of capital punishment against mental ill or intellectually disabled people, health professionals familiar with death row say it is full of prisoners who should instead be receiving treatment.
Article by Thomas Hubert published on September 25th, 2014 -
World DayLinks between death penalty and mental health exposed from Japan to Nigeria
The 12th World Day Against the Death Penalty was marked by hundreds of actions on all continents, in the media and online.
Article by Thomas Hubert published on October 15th, 2014 -
World DayFrench youth event emboldens next abolitionist generation
The testimony of an exonerated death row prisoners helped international students overcome initial awkwardness and launch into passionate debates at the invitation of Paris-based organisations on World Day Against the Death Penalty.
Article by Bronwyn Dudley published on October 22nd, 2014
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- Keywords
- Mental Illness Intellectual Disability
- Attached documents
- Poster - 12th World Day | English |
- Facts and Figures 2014 | English |
- Leaflet - 12th World Day | English |
- 2013 World Day Report | English |
- Mobilisation Kit | English |
- Detailed Fact Sheet - Death Penalty and Mental Health | English |
- Representing Individuals Facing the Death Penalty: A Best Practices Manual | English |
- #nodeathpenalty - Flyer | English |
- #nodeathpenalty - Signs | English |
- Focus on
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World Day
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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.
