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PGA Launches a Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

Since the Executive Committee meeting held in New York on July 15, 2013, the International Law and Human Rights Program has started preparations towards the creation of a Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty, welcoming a proposal of the PGA UK Board member Mr. Mark Pritchard, MP and the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for the Abolition of the Death Penalty, chaired by PGA member Baroness Vivien Stern (member, House of Lords).

On October 10, 2013, PGA Board member Dr. Ruth Wijdenbosch, MP (Deputy Speaker, Suriname) delivered a forceful statement on this subject-matter at the IPU in Geneva on the occasion of the International Day against the Death Penalty.

On September 26, 2013, a leading PGA member from Uganda, Ms. Alice Alaso, MP, deposited a legislative initiative on abolition.

On September 18, 2013, 10 Parliamentarians of the PGA Sierra Leone Group chaired by Ms. Veronica Sesay, MP, organized a meeting with the former Chair of the PGA Italy Group, Marco Perduca, to discuss ways and means to support a national and sub-regional conference that the international NGO “Hands Off Cain” will co-organise in Freetown together with the Government of Sierra Leone and the direct participation of the President of the Republic, Hon. E. B. Koroma (long-standing PGA member), and of the Foreign Minister of Italy, Hon. Emma Bonino, former PGA Board member: The PGA Sierra Leone National Group decided to participate and fully support the realization of this event to advance the cause of abolition in West Africa.

Últimas Actividades: Campaña APM

Photo by Palliamentarians for Global Action

The event highlighted Malawi’s journey towards abolition, discussed remaining challenges, and shared best practices.

We Call Upon Parliamentarians to Take Action on this World Day Against the Death Penalty 2025

Each year on 10 October, the global abolitionist movement comes together to observe the World Day Against the Death Penalty. In 2024 and 2025, the focus has been on addressing the myth that the death penalty ensures safety, with the message: “The Death Penalty Protects No One: Abolish it Now.”

Photo Courtesy Parliament of Malawi

Today, 28 out of the 55 African Union Member States have abolished the death penalty in law, while 14 States maintain a moratorium on executions.