World Day Against the Death Penalty is annually observed across the globe on October 10th to raise awareness about the death penalty and to demand its abolition.
- 10th October 2024 marks the observance of the 22nd World Day Against the Death Penalty.
- The theme of World Day Against the Death Penalty 2024 is “Death Penalty and Safety”.
Background:
i.The World Day Against the Death Penalty was initiated by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (WCADP), with the support of numerous organisations like Amnesty International, the United Nations(UN), and the European Union(EU) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
ii.The first-ever World Day Against the Death Penalty was observed in 2003.
Amnesty International Global Report
i.According to the Amnesty International global report titled ‘Death sentences and executions in 2023’
- Abolition: 112 countries have abolished death penalty for all crimes, while 9 countries have abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes only and 23 countries haven’t carried out an execution in last 10 years.
- Retention: 55 countries (including India) have retained the practice of executing the death penalty.
- The top 5 countries with the most capital punishment execution in 2023 are China followed by Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and the USA.
ii.According to recent statistics by Amnesty International,27,687 persons are facing the threat of capital punishment globally. Amnesty International recorded at least 1,153 executions in 16 countries – a 31% increase from the 883 executions in 20 countries in 2022.
Death Sentence in India:
i.At the end of 2023, 120 death sentences were imposed by trial courts and 561 prisoners were living under a sentence of death in India.
ii.In India capital punishment is the highest legal punishment, where a person is executed by hanging.
About Amnesty International :
Secretary -General – Agnès Callamard
Headquarters– London, United Kingdom(UK)
Established– 1961.
