On April 12, from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM EDT, join a compelling discussion in the third webinar of the series focused on abolishing the death penalty. This event is a collaborative venture involving prominent organisations such as Amnesty International Canada and Carleton University’s Youth & Justice Lab, among others.
International human rights law fundamentally supports the abolition of capital punishment. Despite the ICCPR (1966) not fully rejecting the death penalty, its Second Optional Protocol (1989) significantly advocates for its abolition. The webinar will delve into how human rights norms hold retentionist states accountable and pave the path towards a moratorium and eventual abolition of the death penalty.
Esteemed speakers include Ezat Mosallanejad from the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture, Payam Akhavan from the University of Toronto, and John Packer, the Neuberger-Jesin Professor at the University of Ottawa. The session will be moderated by Samira Mohyeddin, a Journalism Fellow from the University of Toronto.
Amnesty International reports a staggering 1,518 executions took place in 2024, marking the highest since 2015. Most executions occurred in the Middle East, yet the number of countries performing them is at a record low.
This webinar series, ‘Towards the Abolition of the Death Penalty’, addresses complex issues surrounding capital punishment, focusing on countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan. Each session, featuring diverse panelists, will explore different perspectives on the death penalty and foster dialogue to discuss abolition possibilities and challenges.
Future sessions continue this crucial discourse:
– May 10: Political Violence and the Death Penalty
– June 14: Islam and the Death Penalty
– July 12: Global Perspectives: Challenges and Opportunities
– September 13: The Iranian Legal System and Capital Punishment
– October 11: Children, Trauma, and the Death Penalty
– November 8: Sociological Perspectives
– December 10: Non-Violence and Forgiveness (Human Rights Day)
All dates and speakers are subject to change though. The series aspires to illuminate the vital discussions surrounding capital punishment, enriching the conversation on this critical issue.
Join the webinar on April 12 at 12:30 PM EDT, focusing on the abolition of the death penalty, featuring experts from various fields. The series, backed by notable organisations, examines international human rights law’s role in opposing capital punishment. Several subsequent webinars are scheduled, addressing different facets and perspectives of the death penalty issue, aiming to foster dialogue and explore abolishment efforts.
The upcoming webinar on April 12 aims to illuminate the complexities surrounding the abolition of the death penalty through a formidable panel of speakers. By utilising international human rights law, it seeks to hold retentionist states accountable and progress toward abolition. The series promises engaging discussions, featuring various impactful perspectives, shedding light on socio-legal aspects and the overarching themes of justice and human rights concerning capital punishment.
Original Source: amnesty.ca
