Mobilization Kit 18Th World Day Against the Death Penalty
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Mobilization Kit th 18 World Day Against the Death Penalty The Right to an Effective Legal Representation The World Day Against the Death Penalty: 10 October 2020 For the 18th year in a row, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty is calling for local initiatives and world-wide actions that shine a spotlight on the abolition of the death penalty. The goal of this Mobilization Kit is to inform of this year’s objectives as well provide ideas of activities that boost the global abolitionist goal. The World Day is aimed at political leaders and public opinion in both countries where the death penalty has not yet been abolished and countries where it has been abolished. The meaning of abolition and of justice without capital punishment needs to be maintained and shared, particularly for future generations. This day also unifies the abolitionist movement and gives global support to the sometimes-isolated action taken by its abolitionists on the ground. It encourages and consolidates the political and general awareness of the movement against the death penalty. Every year, the World Day focuses on a specific issue of capital punishment, such as failures of justice (2006), mental health (2014), poverty (2017), living conditions on death row (2018), or the plight of children whose parents are sentenced to death (2019). This year, the focus is on the right to effective legal representation during all stages of arrest and legal proceedings. Without access to effective legal representation during arrest, detention, trial and post-trial, due process cannot be guaranteed. In a capital case, the consequences that can arise from a lack of effective legal representation can be nothing less than the difference between life and death. Staying Safe During the COVID-19 Crisis The World Day Against the Death Penalty has never been celebrated during a time of so much uncertainty and strife across the world. Since the beginning of 2020, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has influenced how the abolitionist community is able to advocate and defend the abolition of capital punishment. Thousands of those sentenced to death, along with their families and support networks, are left vulnerable as prison and judiciary systems around the world grapple with the implications of the COVID-19 crisis. It is now more important than ever to stay active and vigilant for abolition of the death penalty! This Mobilization Kit has included a few ideas that will allow activists to participate in the World Day without the need to physically gather in groups. With any activity you undertake this year, please make sure it is compatible with your local and/or national government’s regulations regarding public health and safety. This is particularly important as policies and regulations have been changing to adapt to the COVID-19 threat. For more information: www.worldcoalition.org 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS [1] INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 4 Main objective of the 2020 World Day ............................................................................................... 4 Specific objectives of the 2020 World Day ....................................................................................... 4 Supporting abolitionist activities by sharing arguments, tools and information ........................... 4 Working with organizations and bar associations that support the right to a fair trial, quality of legal assistance, and that work closely with legal professionals who defend those facing the death penalty ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Decry when the right to legal counsel has not met the minimum requirements and when access to justice has been denied ................................................................................................................... 5 [2] ARGUMENTS ....................................................................................................... 6 [3] ORGANIZE EVENTS! ........................................................................................... 7 Call for initiatives! .................................................................................................................................. 7 10 things you can do to end the death penalty ................................................................................ 7 10 practical worksheets to help you! ................................................................................................. 8 (1) How to organize a demonstration? ................................................................................ 8 (2) Organize a gathering on a videoconference platform ................................................. 8 (3) Coordinate a letter/ email writing campaign ................................................................. 9 (4) How to organize a [virtual] film festival on the death penalty? ................................... 9 (5) Work with victims, their families and their loved ones ............................................... 10 (6) How to organize a [virtual] art exhibition? ................................................................... 11 (7) How to promote the world day on social media? ....................................................... 12 (8) How to write a press release? ...................................................................................... 12 (9) How to guarantee good media coverage for your events? ...................................... 13 (10) How to lead an awareness campaign via tv/radio show ........................................... 13 10 tips for a successful event! .......................................................................................................... 14 [4] WORLD DAY TOOLS YOU CAN USE ............................................................... 15 [5] ADDITIONAL MATERIALS ................................................................................ 16 Website on the death penalty ........................................................................................................... 16 Filmography ......................................................................................................................................... 16 Non-fiction ............................................................................................................................................ 16 2 Fiction. .................................................................................................................................................. 18 Short Films ........................................................................................................................................... 19 Art exhibitions and Artwork ............................................................................................................... 19 The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty ............................................................................. 21 Join the movement for the universal of the abolition of the death penalty! ............................... 21 [7] CONTACT US! ................................................................................................... 21 Secretariat of the World Coalition: ................................................................................................... 21 For further information: ...................................................................................................................... 21 3 [1] INTRODUCTION Main objective of the 2020 World Day Since the 1980s, there has been a global trend towards the abolition of the death penalty, a trend which continues to this day. According to Amnesty International, only 16 countries had abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1977 – roughly 40 years later, more than two third (142) of the countries in the world have now abolished the death penalty! In its 2019 global report on death sentences and executions, Amnesty International recorded that at least 26,604 people were known to be under a sentence of death by the end of 2019 and at least 657 individuals were executed. The main objective of the 2020 World Day is to raise public awareness on the importance of an individual’s right to effective legal counsel and the consequences that can arise when it is not provided, to convince people that the death penalty should be abolished. To do so, the World Coalition and its member organizations have identified specific objectives. Specific objectives of the 2020 World Day (1) Supporting abolitionist activities by sharing arguments, tools and information Every year, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty produces many tools that are shared and used by its member organizations. A poster for the World Day Against the Death Penalty; A leaflet on the World Day’s theme with synthetic information and testimonies; Facts and figures on the use of the death penalty in the world; A detailed factsheet on the right to an effective legal representation; The 2019 World Day Report; A mobilization kit for their members. The poster, the leaflet and the facts and figures sheet will be printed both in English and French and will be available online on: http://www.worldcoalition.org/worldday.html. Additional tools for professionals, and the sharing of existing tools will be provided as well on the World Coalition website. Furthermore, the World Coalition supports