A thematic discussion on the abolition of the death penalty was held on 12 March 2025, during the 1522nd meeting of the Council of Europe Ministers’ Deputies, chaired by Luxembourg.
The Ministers’ Deputies had the opportunity to exchange views with representatives from civil society, in particular on the relation between death penalty and discriminations.
Ms. Sunny Jacobs, a former death row prisoner in the United States of America and founder of the Sunny Center Foundation, shared her experience as a woman on death row.
Ms. Marta Santos Pais, Commissioner at the International Commission Against the Death Penalty based in Madrid and former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on Violence Against Children, touched upon inter alia the various types of discriminations linked to the death penalty, including the risks faced by children.
Mr. Richard Sédillot, a lawyer of persons facing death sentences and of death row prisoners outside Europe, highlighted inter alia the challenges associated with defending persons in these situations.
The three speakers also stressed the importance of a continuous international political commitment in favour of the abolition of the death penalty.
After this exchange of views, the Ministers’ Deputies adopted a new series of decisions on the abolition of the death penalty
