10 October, the World Day Against the Death Penalty unifies the global abolitionist movement and mobilizes civil society, political leaders, lawyers, public opinion and more to support the call for the universal abolition of capital punishment.

The day encourages and consolidates the political and general awareness of the worldwide movement against the death penalty.

On 10 October 2024 and 2025, the World Day will be dedicated to challenging the misconception that the death penalty can make people and communities safer.

Security is commonly understood as freedom from danger or threat, but its interpretation varies considerably. It is a term rooted in political discourse and often used as a political tactic to influence public opinion and justify security policies. The determination of who are considered threats, and who are to be protected is often influenced by power dynamics, discrimination, and inequality. When applied to criminal justice, security offenses are in many cases broadly defined and can be open to abuse. Using the “security argument” at best politicizes a judicial procedure that is supposed to be impartial and fair, and at worst provides a context for human rights abuses in the name of State protection.

It is undeniable that the death penalty does not protect individuals and societies because it threatens human dignity and reinforces social and economic disparities by disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. To achieve effective long-term solutions, we must prioritize people’s concerns, tackle the root causes of crime and violence and apply a human security approach in conflict resolution and creating safer societies. Abolish the death penalty now!

State sanctioned execution is unjustifiable and immoral.   Studies have repeatedly shown that capital punishment does not deter crime.  In addition, it is disproportionately applied to poor defendants, racial, ethnic or religious minorities and against some who are innocent of the crime for which they were convicted.  In taking life, the state uses the violence of execution to bring about a less violent society—this makes no sense.  Catholic social teaching upholds the sacredness of all human life.  No person loses the right to life, no matter what horrendous crime he/she may have committed.  As Pope Francis put it: …all Christians and people of good will are called today to fight not only for the abolition of the death penalty, whether legal or illegal, and in all its forms, but also … to improve the prison conditions, in respect of the human dignity of the persons deprived of freedom.

God, we pray that nations throughout the world will continue to work for the abolition of the death penalty.  We commit ourselves to respect the dignity of every person, because we know that all human beings were created in your image and have the divine spark of life within them, no matter what evil deeds they may have committed. Help us to reject revenge as we continue to work for justice.  Bless us as we seek the good in each person and strive to bring about reconciliation.