INTERNATIONAL DAYAWARENESS

World Day Against the Death Penalty

Every October 10, people around the world speak with one voice for the abolition of the death penalty. The World Day Against the Death Penalty calls us to defend the dignity of every human life.

OCT10

Saturday, October 10Every year on October 10

days to go

Roots: First organized in 2003 by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty.
Also on Oct 10: World Hospice and Palliative Care Day · International African Penguin Awareness Day · International Stage Management Day
Hashtag: #WorldDayAgainstTheDeathPenalty

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3 ways to celebrate

AT HOME

Reflect and learn

Watch a documentary about capital punishment and reflect quietly on what you learned. Avoid flippant commentary in conversation.

WITH FRIENDS

Start a respectful conversation

Share a verified fact about the death penalty with a friend or family member, and listen as much as you speak.

AT WORK OR SCHOOL

Bring education to your community

Ask a history or civics teacher to devote class time to the global abolition movement, or circulate a reading list through your workplace.

Plan ahead

World Day Against the Death Penalty is observed on October 10 every year. Here is where it lands for the next ten years, handy for planners, marketers and party people.

2026Sat, Oct 10this year

2027Sun, Oct 10

2028Tue, Oct 10

2029Wed, Oct 10

2030Thu, Oct 10

2031Fri, Oct 10

2032Sun, Oct 10

2033Mon, Oct 10

2034Tue, Oct 10

2035Wed, Oct 10

2036Fri, Oct 10

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Fast facts

Observed in more than 180 countries.

More than two-thirds of countries are now abolitionist in law or practice.

The story

The World Day Against the Death Penalty was first organized by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty in 2003. The Coalition, an alliance of NGOs, bar associations, local authorities, and unions created in Rome on May 13, 2002, established October 10 as the day the global abolitionist movement stands together.

Read the full story

The day is supported by Amnesty International, the European Union, and the United Nations. On September 26, 2007, the Council of Europe also declared October 10 the European Day Against the Death Penalty. The movement holds that any error in the application of justice resulting in the death penalty would be impossible to remedy.

Each year the day carries a theme that highlights certain issues surrounding capital punishment. Past themes have addressed living conditions on death row, poverty, terrorism, drug crimes, mental health, and the invisible reality of women sentenced to death.