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When is World Day Against the Death Penalty?

World Day Against the Death Penalty occurs on October 10th.

What is World Day Against the Death Penalty?

Name an attribute shared by the United States, China, North Korea, and Iran. Got it? Here’s one commonality: all four countries carried out capital punishment in 2017. World Day Against the Death Penalty is a global effort to raise awareness about the indignity of death row.

Among the arguments against capital punishment, opponents contend that it dehumanizes people in a variety of ways. Overcrowded prisons in Africa and Asia, solitary confinement in the U.S., and limited family access to death row prisoners all belittle the humanity of the condemned.

World Day Against the Death Penalty aims to eliminate capital punishment globally and end the human rights abuses often associated with execution.

Facts about World Day Against the Death Penalty!

  • Only 23 countries performed executions in 2016.
  • The top five executioners in 2016 were China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Pakistan.
  • In 2017, Guinea and Mongolia ended the death penalty for all crimes, bringing the global number to 106 countries that have abolished the death penalty in law.

How to celebrate World Day Against the Death Penalty:

  • To observe this day, look for debates, petitions, or demonstrations against the death penalty. You may also find educational activities or awareness concerts observing this day.
  • Write a letter to a death row prisoner, and send messages of support to their relatives.
  • Donate to an anti-execution organization, and then encourage your local media to cover World Day Against the Death Penalty.

What’s the hashtag for World Day Against the Death Penalty?

Use #WorldDayAgainsttheDeathPenalty on social media to support the abolition of the death penalty.