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8th World Day Against the Death Penalty: USA
 Aur้lie Pla็ais - WorldCoalition.org
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July 07, 2010
On 10 October 2010, the 8th World Day Against the Death Penalty will be dedicated to the USA which executed 52 people and handed down 106 death sentences in 2009.
The USA is one of the only federalist country which gives the states the power to legislate on the issue of the death penalty. At present there are 15 abolitionist states and 35 retentionist states in the USA, although among retentionist states, 10 have not carried out any executions for at least 10 years.
In recent years, abolitionist measures have be spreading throughout the nation, which is clearly divided on the issue. According to Amnesty International, death sentences in the USA reached a high in 1994 but have dropped over 60 percent in the past decade. In 2009, New Mexico became the 15th state to legislatively abolish the death penalty.
It is hoped that this world day will strengthen the trend towards abolition in the USA and also the trend towards universal abolition. It is an opportunity to publicly oppose the use of this inhuman, cruel and degrading punishment and to support those in the USA who are fighting for its abolition.
To know more about the death penalty:
all over the world: read the Facts and figures about the death penalty in 2009
in the USA: read the USA Factsheet
Get involved in a poster competition:
This year, the WCADP is also a partner of Poster For Tomorrow, an international poster competition which in 2010 has universal abolition of the death penalty as its theme.
Entries are now open: posterfortomorrow.org
Call for initiatives:
On 10 October 2009, take action against the death penalty! Join hundreds of initiatives organised worldwide to teach abolition.
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!
The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty brings together all those committed to the universal abolition of capital punishment. More info here. |
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