• 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.

  • Running against the abolitionist worldwide movement, some governments have in recent years resorted to use of the death penalty following terrorist attacks on their countries, in the name of protecting their countries and peoples. In the last ten years, Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, Tunisia and others have adopted laws that expanded the scope of the death penalty, adding certain terrorist acts to the list of crimes punishable by death. More recently, Pakistan and Chad resumed executions in the name of the fight against terrorism, putting an end to moratoriums that had lasted for years.

    The death penalty in practice

    • 104 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes;
    • 6 countries have abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes;
    • 30 countries are abolitionist in practice;
    • 58 countries and territories are retentionist;
    • 25 countries carried out executions in 2015;
    • The 5 top executioners in 2015 were China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the USA;
    • 65 countries and territories retain the death penalty for terrorism. Of these:
    – 16 countries are abolitionist in practice;
    – 1 country is abolitionist in law for ordinary crimes.

    To know more about the death penalty…

    … all over the world: read the facts & figures
    … and terrorism: read the leaflet, the detailed factsheet

    Take action to stop crime, not lives:

    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
    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.    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 2016

    Call for initiatives

    > On 10 October 2016, 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.