February 26 – Abolition Day in Serbia
On the 26th February 2002, the Serbian Parliament struck the death penalty from the Penal Code.
On the 26th February, SACP delivered the following message to the Parliament:
The right to life is the most important human right.
On this day seventeen years ago you abolished the death penalty in Serbia.
Do not bring it back ever again!
This letter has been signed by.
You can read more about how did the Parliament abolished the death penalty in Serbia in 2002 on this page.
Cities for Life - Cities against the Death Penalty
Since 2002, the Community of Sant’Egidio has organized the International Day of Cities for Life, Cities against the Death Penalty, which takes place every year on November 30 – on the anniversary of the first abolition of the death penalty in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany on November 30, 1786.About 80 cities participated in 2002. In 2014, there were more than 1,850 participating cities, including 70 capitals in 92 countries on the six continents: Rome, London, Brussels, Tirana, Pristina, Skopje, Podgorica, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Sarajevo, Budapest, Bucharest and many others.
Colosseum, Rome, Italy Atomium, Brussels, Belgium City Hall, Antwerp,Holland
They made use of symbolic monuments and squares to hold educational and artistic events aimed at raising public awareness.All cities taking part in the initiative make their major monuments available as “living logos”, which “speak” with the help of special illuminations, thus becoming symbols of a commitment to hold a dialogue with the population aimed at achieving a world without the death penalty.
Victor Hugo's house, Paris, France Old Town Hall, Lahr, Germany Castel Nuovo, Naples, Italy
The International Day of Cities for Life/Cities against the Death Penalty constitutes, along with the World day against the Death Penalty on October 10, the biggest modern global mobilization in favour of a higher and more civil form of justice capable of repelling capital punishment once and for all.
The map of the Cities for Life.
Cities for Life, promo video for 2014/2015
For a world without the death penalty Cities for Life 2013
Cities for Life 2002-2012
Belgrade, Serbia
2007 - For the first time Belgrade has participated in the campaign Cities for Life. The Center for Peace and Democracy Development – CPDD, in cooperation with the Assembly of the City of Belgrade has marked the Cites for Life day by organiseing a roundtable “Capital Punishment – Never Again!”, held on 30th November 2007, from 10AM in the premises of the Belgrade City Hall. The introductory speeches were given by: Professor Stanko Pihler, Novi Sad University Law School; Professor Violeta Beširević, Union University Law School; Silvija Panović – Đurić, Council of Europe and Dragoljub Todorović, attorney at law. The discussion was moderated by Ivan Janković, attorney at law, Center for Peace and Democracy Development. In addition to holding the roundtable, CPDD and City Council have illuminated the Čukur česma monumment in Belgrade for three days, from 28-30 November 2007.
2012 - Belgrade City Administration lit up the Čukur-česma monument, while three NGOs – Serbia Against Capital Punishment, Center for Cultural Decontamination and Women in Black – staged an urban happening at two city locations.
At Čukur-česma, Ivan Janković (SACP) explained why Belgrade was for life and against capital punishment, while Borka Pavićević (CZKD) enacted a hangman and everyone was welcome to have a picture with her taken as a souvenir. Daniel Kovač (Jesenji orkestar) sang and played his guitar.
Everyone then took a walk to a nearby house, where Ksenija Atanasijević, philosopher and feminist, used to live. On the way, they passed four of her portraits, created by the mysterious stencil artist, TKV.
Snežana Klisinska-Tabački (WiB) explained how and why a memorial plaque was placed on the facade of Ksenija’s house. Actress Cvijeta Mesić read an essay by Ksenija on the rape and murder of a young Belgrade feminist in 1930. The murderer was sentenced to death and hanged, but his death only demonstrated the futility of the death penalty. Ljiljana Vuletić announced an imaginary interview with Ksenija Atanasijević in the forthcoming issue of the ELLE magazine. Daniiel Kovač sang some more.
Photos, Video
2013 - Belgrade participated for the third time. The Čukur česma monument was lit up and a scene from the play „The last day of the condemned man“ by Jean-Hyppolyte Tisserant, translated by Danilo Kiš, was shown at the Center for Cultural Decontamination. Ivan Janković gave an introduction into the death penalty and Mirjana Miočinović gave an introduction into the play. After that, Predrag Ejdus played a role of Jean Coutaudier.
Photos from the event, Video Cities for Life – Belgrade against the death penalty
2014 - Belgrade refused to participate.
World and European Day Against the Death Penalty
The conditions on death row On 10 October 2018, the 16th World Day Against the Death Penalty aims at raising awareness on the inhumane living conditions of people sentenced to death.
The conditions of detention of the people sentenced to death might differ from one country to another, but affect us all.From solitary confinement in the United States, to the overcrowded prisons in several countries in Africa and Asia, the living conditions for the people sentenced tend to dehumanize and take away the dignity of individuals. Very often, death row prisoners become human beings on which the society does not invest anymore, as if, even before being executed, they were no longer alive, they were no longer considered as « human beings ».
In addition, death row prisoners have very little contact with their family and lawyers, as the access to death row is often very limited. Therefore, the conditions of detention affect not only the person sentenced to death but also the families, relatives and legal team.
The death penalty in practice• 107 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes• 7 countries have abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes• 28 countries are abolitionist in practice• 56 countries are retentionist• 23 countries carried out executions in 2017• In 2017, the top five executioners were China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan.To know more about the death penalty...... all over the world: read the facts & figures... and living conditions on death row: read the leaflet, the detailed factsheet
____________________________________________________________________________________________
World Day against the Death Penalty
and
World Mental Health Day
This year, two World Days – the World Day against the Death Penalty and the World Mental Health Day this year was celebrated together in a single event:
PANEL DISCUSSION followed by THEATRE and FILM inserts
Panel participants:Ivan Janković, Miloš Janković, Vladimir Jović i Sandra Petrušić
Theatre inserts directed by Sandra Rodić JankovićActors:Caci Mihajlović, Daniel Kovačević i Katarina DimitrijevićThe event is supported by four NGOs:
VIDEO PHOTOS
February 26 – Abolition Day in Serbia
On the 26th February 2002, the Serbian Parliament struck the death penalty from the Penal Code.
On the 26th February, SACP delivered the following message to the Parliament:The right to life is the most important human right.On this day fifteen years ago you abolished the death penalty in Serbia.Do not bring it back ever again!
This letter has been signed by.
You can read more about how did the Parliament abolished the death penalty in Serbia in 2002 on this page.
February 26 – Abolition Day in Serbia
On the 26th February 2002, the Serbian Parliament struck the death penalty from the Penal Code.
On the 26th February, SACP delivered the following message to the Parliament:The right to life is the most important human right.On this day fourteen years ago you abolished the death penalty in Serbia.Do not bring it back ever again!
This letter has been signed by.
You can read more about how did the Parliament abolished the death penalty in Serbia in 2002 on this page.
Cities for Life - Cities against the Death Penalty
Since 2002, the Community of Sant’Egidio has organized the International Day of Cities for Life, Cities against the Death Penalty, which takes place every year on November 30 – on the anniversary of the first abolition of the death penalty in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany on November 30, 1786.About 80 cities participated in 2002. In 2014, there were more than 1,850 participating cities, including 70 capitals in 92 countries on the six continents: Rome, London, Brussels, Tirana, Pristina, Skopje, Podgorica, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Sarajevo, Budapest, Bucharest and many others.
Colosseum, Rome, Italy Atomium, Brussels, Belgium City Hall, Antwerp,Holland
They made use of symbolic monuments and squares to hold educational and artistic events aimed at raising public awareness.All cities taking part in the initiative make their major monuments available as “living logos”, which “speak” with the help of special illuminations, thus becoming symbols of a commitment to hold a dialogue with the population aimed at achieving a world without the death penalty.
Victor Hugo's house, Paris, France Old Town Hall, Lahr, Germany Castel Nuovo, Naples, Italy
The International Day of Cities for Life/Cities against the Death Penalty constitutes, along with the World day against the Death Penalty on October 10, the biggest modern global mobilization in favour of a higher and more civil form of justice capable of repelling capital punishment once and for all.
The map of the Cities for Life.
Cities for Life, promo video for 2014/2015
For a world without the death penalty Cities for Life 2013
Cities for Life 2002-2012
Belgrade, Serbia
2007 - For the first time Belgrade has participated in the campaign Cities for Life. The Center for Peace and Democracy Development – CPDD, in cooperation with the Assembly of the City of Belgrade has marked the Cites for Life day by organiseing a roundtable “Capital Punishment – Never Again!”, held on 30th November 2007, from 10AM in the premises of the Belgrade City Hall. The introductory speeches were given by: Professor Stanko Pihler, Novi Sad University Law School; Professor Violeta Beširević, Union University Law School; Silvija Panović – Đurić, Council of Europe and Dragoljub Todorović, attorney at law. The discussion was moderated by Ivan Janković, attorney at law, Center for Peace and Democracy Development. In addition to holding the roundtable, CPDD and City Council have illuminated the Čukur česma monumment in Belgrade for three days, from 28-30 November 2007.
2012 - Belgrade City Administration lit up the Čukur-česma monument, while three NGOs – Serbia Against Capital Punishment, Center for Cultural Decontamination and Women in Black – staged an urban happening at two city locations.
At Čukur-česma, Ivan Janković (SACP) explained why Belgrade was for life and against capital punishment, while Borka Pavićević (CZKD) enacted a hangman and everyone was welcome to have a picture with her taken as a souvenir. Daniel Kovač (Jesenji orkestar) sang and played his guitar.
Everyone then took a walk to a nearby house, where Ksenija Atanasijević, philosopher and feminist, used to live. On the way, they passed four of her portraits, created by the mysterious stencil artist, TKV.
Snežana Klisinska-Tabački (WiB) explained how and why a memorial plaque was placed on the facade of Ksenija’s house. Actress Cvijeta Mesić read an essay by Ksenija on the rape and murder of a young Belgrade feminist in 1930. The murderer was sentenced to death and hanged, but his death only demonstrated the futility of the death penalty. Ljiljana Vuletić announced an imaginary interview with Ksenija Atanasijević in the forthcoming issue of the ELLE magazine. Daniiel Kovač sang some more.
Photos, Video
2013 - Belgrade participated for the third time. The Čukur česma monument was lit up and a scene from the play „The last day of the condemned man“ by Jean-Hyppolyte Tisserant, translated by Danilo Kiš, was shown at the Center for Cultural Decontamination. Ivan Janković gave an introduction into the death penalty and Mirjana Miočinović gave an introduction into the play. After that, Predrag Ejdus played a role of Jean Coutaudier.
Photos from the event, Video Cities for Life – Belgrade against the death penalty
2014 - Belgrade refused to participate this year.
2015 - Unfortunately, we do not have enough funds to organize an event this year.
World and European Day Against the Death Penalty
In 2003 the World Coalition created the first World Day Against the Death Penalty. This initiative was expressed through more than 180 local initiatives across the world. Canada, France, Italy, Mexico, Belgium, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the European Union officially supported the World Day.Since then, the 10 October date has continued to attract new initiatives. Since 2005, when more than 260 events were held, the World Day Against the Death Penalty has highlighted a particular theme each year.
Serbia Against Capital Punishment has marked for the first time in Serbia World and European Day Against the Death Penalty in 2012. We also marked this day in 2013 and 2014. Unfortunately, we do not have enough funds to organize an event this year and mark the World and European Day Against the Death Penalty.
On 10 October 2015, the 13th World Day Against the Death Penalty is raising awareness around the application of the death penalty for drug-related offences, to reduce its use.Running against the abolitionist worldwide movement, many countries added the death penalty for drug crimes in their legal sustem between 1980 and 2000. This trend is going down today, however, in somes countries, drug crimes are the main cause of death sentences and executions.The death penalty in practice: - 100 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes - 6 countries have abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes- 34 countries are abolitionist in practice- 58 countries and territories are retentionist- 22 countries carried out executions in 2014- 33 countries and territories retain the death penalty for drug crimes: - 13 of the 33 countries have carried out an execution for drug crimes in the past five years - 12 of the 33 countries retain a mandatory death penalty for certain categories of drug crimes - 5 of the 33 countries are abolitionist in practice
To know more about the death penalty...
... all over the world: read the
... and drug crimes: read the , the and Harm Reduction International's reports
February 26 – Abolition Day in Serbia
On the 26th February 2002, the Serbian Parliament struck the death penalty from the Penal Code.On the 26th February, SACP delivered the following message to the Parliament:The right to life is the most important human right.On this day thirteen years ago you abolished the death penalty in Serbia.Do not bring it back ever again!
This letter has been also signed by many other Non-Governmental Organizations and individuals. You can read more about how did the Parliament abolished the death penalty in Serbia in 2002 on this page.
December 10 - Human Rights Day
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on 10th December 1948.
It proclaims the right to life.
The death penalty destroys human lives.
For this reason, the United Nations have proposed a global moratorium on the death penalty.
We support the moratorium!
This year’s slogan, Human Rights 365, encompasses the idea that every day is Human Rights Day. It celebrates the fundamental proposition in the Universal Declaration that each one of us, everywhere, at all times is entitled to the full range of human rights, that human rights belong equally to each of us and bind us together as a global community with the same ideals and values.
Until the next December 10!
Cities for Life - Cities against the Death Penalty
Since 2002, the Community of Sant’Egidio has organized the International Day of Cities for Life, Cities against the Death Penalty, which takes place every year on November 30 – on the anniversary of the first abolition of the death penalty in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany on November 30, 1786.About 80 cities participated in 2002. In 2014, there were more than 1,850 participating cities, including 70 capitals in 92 countries on the six continents: Rome, London, Brussels, Tirana, Pristina, Skopje, Podgorica, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Sarajevo, Budapest, Bucharest and many others.
Colosseum, Rome, Italy Atomium, Brussels, Belgium City Hall, Antwerp,Holland
They made use of symbolic monuments and squares to hold educational and artistic events aimed at raising public awareness.All cities taking part in the initiative make their major monuments available as “living logos”, which “speak” with the help of special illuminations, thus becoming symbols of a commitment to hold a dialogue with the population aimed at achieving a world without the death penalty.
Victor Hugo's house, Paris, France Old Town Hall, Lahr, Germany Castel Nuovo, Naples, Italy
The International Day of Cities for Life/Cities against the Death Penalty constitutes, along with the World day against the Death Penalty on October 10, the biggest modern global mobilization in favour of a higher and more civil form of justice capable of repelling capital punishment once and for all.
The map of the Cities for Life.
Cities for Life, promo video 2014
For a world without the death penalty Cities for Life 2013
Cities for Life 2002-2012
Belgrade, Serbia
2007 - For the first time Belgrade has participated in the campaign Cities for Life. The Center for Peace and Democracy Development – CPDD, in cooperation with the Assembly of the City of Belgrade has marked the Cites for Life day by organiseing a roundtable “Capital Punishment – Never Again!”, held on 30th November 2007, from 10AM in the premises of the Belgrade City Hall. The introductory speeches were given by: Professor Stanko Pihler, Novi Sad University Law School; Professor Violeta Beširević, Union University Law School; Silvija Panović – Đurić, Council of Europe and Dragoljub Todorović, attorney at law. The discussion was moderated by Ivan Janković, attorney at law, Center for Peace and Democracy Development. In addition to holding the roundtable, CPDD and City Council have illuminated the Čukur česma monumment in Belgrade for three days, from 28-30 November 2007.
2012 - Belgrade City Administration lit up the Čukur-česma monument, while three NGOs – Serbia Against Capital Punishment, Center for Cultural Decontamination and Women in Black – staged an urban happening at two city locations.
At Čukur-česma, Ivan Janković (SACP) explained why Belgrade was for life and against capital punishment, while Borka Pavićević (CZKD) enacted a hangman and everyone was welcome to have a picture with her taken as a souvenir. Daniel Kovač (Jesenji orkestar) sang and played his guitar.
Everyone then took a walk to a nearby house, where Ksenija Atanasijević, philosopher and feminist, used to live. On the way, they passed four of her portraits, created by the mysterious stencil artist, TKV.
Snežana Klisinska-Tabački (WiB) explained how and why a memorial plaque was placed on the facade of Ksenija’s house. Actress Cvijeta Mesić read an essay by Ksenija on the rape and murder of a young Belgrade feminist in 1930. The murderer was sentenced to death and hanged, but his death only demonstrated the futility of the death penalty. Ljiljana Vuletić announced an imaginary interview with Ksenija Atanasijević in the forthcoming issue of the ELLE magazine. Daniiel Kovač sang some more.
Photos, Video
2013 - Belgrade participated for the third time. The Čukur česma monument was lit up and a scene from the play „The last day of the condemned man“ by Jean-Hyppolyte Tisserant, translated by Danilo Kiš, was shown at the Center for Cultural Decontamination. Ivan Janković gave an introduction into the death penalty and Mirjana Miočinović gave an introduction into the play. After that, Predrag Ejdus played a role of Jean Coutaudier.
Photos from the event, Video Cities for Life – Belgrade against the death penalty
2014 - Belgrade refused to participate this year.
October 10, 2014 - World and European Day Against the Death Penalty
On the occasion of the World and European Day Against the Death Penalty at the Center for Cultural Decontamination the Hollywood musical, Chicago, was screened.The keynote speaker for the evening was Ivan Jankovic, of the NGO organization, Serbia Against Capital Punishment. Jankovic spoke about lynch-like atmosphere of the media, which has extended into the population of Serbia, following the horrible murder of Tijana Juric, in August 2014. Jankovic included graphs depicting the results of survey, conducted in September, indicating, for the first time, a majority of respondents recommending restoration of the death penalty in Serbia. Jankovic believes that the survey results are directly influenced by and related to, the aforementioned murder, and the lynch-like atmosphere. Jankovic referenced more frequent public demand for the return of the death penalty as well as more direct actions thru social networks, requesting the same.The event was organized by Serbia Against Capital Punishment and the Center for Cultural Decontamination.
Photos from the event
Video
February 26 – Abolition Day in Serbia
On the 26th February 2002, the Serbian Parliament struck the death penalty from the Penal Code.On the 26th February, SACP delivered the following message to the Parliament:The right to life is the most important human right.On this day twelve years ago you abolished the death penalty in Serbia.Do not bring it back ever again!
This letter has been also signed by many other Non-Governmental Organizations and individuals.
You can read more about how did the Parliament abolished the death penalty in Serbia in 2002 on this page.
December 10 - Human Rights Day
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on 10th December 1948.
It proclaims the right to life.
The death penalty destroys human lives.
For this reason, the United Nations have proposed a global moratorium on the death penalty.
In 2012, 111 states has voted in favor of moratorium, 41 voting against and 34 abstaining.
We support the moratorium!
In 2013, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights marks 20 years since its establishment.
Until the next December 10!
Cities for Life – Cities against the death penalty
Serbia against Capital Punishmentand
Center for Cultural Decontamination
Invite you cordially to take part in
an international campaign against the death penalty
„Cities for Life – Cities against the death penalty“
on Saturday, 30 November at 7 p.m. in Center for Cultural Decontamination, Birčaninova 21
Let us commemorate the day when the death penalty was abolished for the first time. It happened in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany on 30 November 1876. The campaign is coordinated by the humanitarian organization San Egidio from Italy.
On this day, more than 1,500 cities worldwide shall light one of its monuments to show symolically that they are for life – the light, and against death – the dark. In addition, in each of these cities an event against the death penalty will take place.
Belgrade took part in this campaign in 2007 and 2012. This year, the Čukur Česma monument will be lit up and a scene from the play „The last day of the condemned man“ by Jean-Hyppolyte Tisserant, translated by Danilo Kiš, will be shown.
The Programme:
An introduction into the death penalty by
Ivan Janković
An introduction into the play by
Mirjana Miočinović
Actors:
Jean Coutaudier – Predrag Ejdus
Coctails
Photos from the event
Video Cities for Life – Belgrade against the death penalty
Video of the campaign
The map of the Cities for Life. Find Belgrade!
Again Against! World and European Day Against the Death Penalty
October 10, 2013: On the occasion of the World and European Day Against the Death Penalty in Center for Cultural Decontamination the founders of the first abolitionist associations (1981, 1986, 1987) in Serbia and former Yugoslavia spoke about past days and the obstacles they had encountered back then.The opening speech was held by Milos Jankovic, Deputy Ombudsman, who strongly supported the abolition of the death penalty in the world and pointed up the importance of informing the public about this issue. He also spoke about permanent need of explaining why the death penalty is opposite to the right to life and the right to human dignity.This event was organized by Serbia Against the Death Penalty and the Center for Cultural Decontamination.
Photos from the event
Again Against! Video
Public Discussion on Literature and the Death Penalty
| |
March 7, 2013: Death penalty humiliates us, because it reduces us to a community that has the right to take human life away. A society’s commitment to abolish the death penalty is proportional to the development of democracy. That is the conclusion of the discussions that took place in the Serbian Literary Society on the death penalty in literature and history, with participation of lawyer Ivan Janković and literary critic and journalist Teofil Pančić.In the literature, the issue of capital punishment is considered in relation to the tradition of humanistic values. It is historically related to the reform of the criminal justice system which unfolded in Europe and America from 1760s to 1840s. A significant role in this process was played by Cesare Beccaria’s study "On Crimes and Punishments" (1764), a major critique of feudalism, under whose influence some rulers began to restrict the death penalty.Apart from the works of Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Chekhov, Victor Hugo, Kafka and Camus, participants singled out Serbian writers who advocated abolition, such as Borislav Pekić, Vidosav Stevanović, Mića Danojlić, Sima Milutinović Sarajlija and others. in "The Last Day of a Condemned Man", Victor Hugo looked at civilization as a series of transformations leading to a final disappearance of crime and punishment. Tolstoy was a preacher of nonviolence, an active pacifist, while Dostoyevsky, as an opponent of the imperial regime, was arrested, sentenced to death and then pardoned (1849).A special mention was made of the motive of the executioner, who – in life as well as in literature, becomes a victim of his own fears and ultimately commits suicide.
source: Politika
Photos from the event.
February 26 – Abolition Day in Serbia
On the 26th February 2002, the Serbian Parliament struck the death penalty from the Penal Code.On the 26th February, SACP shall deliver the following message to the Parliament:On this day eleven years ago you abolished the death penalty in Serbia.Do not bring it back ever again!
This letter has been also signed by many other Non-Governmental Organizations and individuals.
December 10 - Human Rights Day
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on 10th December 1948.
It proclaims the right to life.
The death penalty destroys human lives.
For this reason, the United Nations have proposed a global moratorium on the death penalty.
We support the moratorium!
Until the next December 10!
CITIES FOR LIFE – BELGRADE AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
On 30 November, more than thousand cities worldwide will light one of their public monuments to simbolically demonstrate their opposition to the death penalty. The City of Belgrade will light the Čukur česma monument in Dobračina street. On the same day, three NGOs: Serbia Against Capital Punishment, Center for Cultural Decontamination and Women in Black will stage an anti death penalty event in front of the memorial plaque to Ksenija Atanasijevic in Jovanova street.
The international campaign Cities for Life is coordinated by Comunità di Sant’Egidio.
To join us in this event, please apply here.
Photos
Video
Video Cities for Life 2002-2012.
10th October – an International Day against the Death Penalty
Serbia Against Capital Punishment, together with the Center for Cultural Decontamination and Women in Black, is working on an event against the death penalty to mark the Tenth October 2012.
If you would like to be in the audience or take a part, please apply so that we can send you an invitation.
World Day Against the Death Penalty was launched in 2003 by the Coalition Against the Death Penalty.
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided on 26 September 2007, to declare a ''European Day against the Death Penalty'', which is held annually on 10 October.
Stop the Execution of Anthony Hines in Texas
Anthony Hines is due to be executed in Texas on October 18 for the murder of an off-duty police officer committed when he was 19 years old. Claims of racial discrimination, inadequate legal representation and judicial misconduct have marked the case. During jury selection, the presiding judge was cleaning guns. Call on Texas authorities to grant clemency in this case.
Take action, send a message.
Anthony Hines was executed October 24, 2012.
Today is World Day against the Death Penalty; for Japan’s death row prisoners it could be their last
September 27, 2012: Hakamada Iwao is 76 years old. Every day for the past 44 years he has woken not knowing whether the hangman will come today, tomorrow, next year, or even in the next decade. Sentenced to end his life on Japan’s death row in the 1960s, Hakamada now faces a renewed daily risk of hanging. TAKE ACTION
Reggie Clemons' stepfather explains the flaws in the case against his son on death row
Stay strong, Reggie On Monday, September 17th, Reggie Clemons' case will be reviewed by a judge for what could be the last time. Reggie needs our support now more than ever. |
September 17, 2012: Next week is very important -- you see, it will help determine whether my son will live or die. My son's name is Reginald Clemons, but we call him Reggie. He has been on Missouri's death row for about 20 years now. On Monday the 17th, his case will be reviewed by a judge for what could be the last time.
Chances like this don't happen often and we are grateful for this special opportunity. Before we reach that step, I want you to understand a few things about the case, my son andjust how fatal the flaws of the death penalty system can be.
The state of Missouri has accused my son of killing two young women -- pushing them into the Mississippi River in April 1991. The pain the family of these two girls has suffered after such a staggering loss is unfathomable. But from the beginning, the case against Reggie has been riddled with grave and glaring problems.
First, my sons' face was so swollen after his interrogation by St. Louis police that the judge arraigning him sent him to the emergency room.
Second, not one, not two, but four federal judges have agreed that the prosecutor's conduct when cross-examining Reggie was "abusive and boorish". This prosecutor compared my son, who at 19 years old never even had a criminal record, to two convicted serial killers.
Third, I wish race weren't a factor, but it is a fact that the single most reliable predictor of whether someone will be sentenced to death is the race of the victim. My son is a black man. The two young women who were killed were white. Add that to the disproportionate dismissal of blacks during jury selection and you get a perfect storm of racial discrimination.
Fourth, and most troubling of all -- the state's only two eye-witnesses included a man who, at one point, confessed to police that he murdered the girls and another who took a plea in exchange for a lighter sentence!
How can my son be about to lose his life when there is so much so clearly wrong with this case?
The support we've received over the years from Amnesty International and its members has been such an inspiration. It's kept us strong, even when fighting a system that has, at times, made us feel weak.
That's why I've invited Amnesty representatives to join me at Monday's special hearing in Missouri. We want to pack as much positive energy as we can into that courtroom! They'll bring your messages to me and I will deliver them directly to Reggie. I know it will mean a lot to him.
My son has come within 12 days of execution by lethal injection before. No person should have to endure the cruelty of a looming death sentence.
I'm praying that Monday's hearing will be our chance to lay all the evidence, facts and flaws out on the table once and for all. I'm praying that your messages of support give him the strength he needs to keep fighting. And most of all, I'm praying that justice is coming for my son, Reggie.
Thank you for lending us your strength ,
Rev. Reynolds Thomas
Stepfather of Reggie Clemons
Death Penalty – Never Again!
World Day Cities for Life / Cities Against Capital Punishment
The Center for Peace and Democracy Development – CPDD, in cooperation with the Assembly of the City of Belgrade, marked the 30th November, the World Day Against the Death Penalty.
In this way, Belgrade has joined other 30 capitals and 600 cities that took part in the campaign Cities for Life / Cities Against Capital Punishment, held on 30th November.
Wishing to clearly express our support to the civic organizations and movements the world over who are struggling for an irevocable abolition of capital punishment in their respective countries,Believing that the Draft Resolution on the Universal Abolition of the Death Penalty, prepared by UN Human Rights Committee, shall be adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations,Aiming to hereby reaffirm the status of the Republic of Serbia as an abolitionist country,CPDD has marked the World Day against the Death Penalty by organising a roundtable “Capital Punishment – Never Again!”, held on 30th November 2007, from 10AM in the premises of the Belgrade City Hall. The introductory speeches were given by: Professor Stanko Pihler, Novi Sad University Law School; Professor Violeta Beširević, Union University Law School; Silvija Panović – Đurić, Council of Europe and Dragoljub Todorović, attorney at law. The discussion was moderated by Ivan Janković, attorney at law, Center for Peace and Democracy Development.
In addition to holding the roundtable, CPDD and City Council have illuminated the Čukur česma monumment in Belgrade for three days, from 28-30 November 2007.