
Fighting for every person facing the death penalty

Photo credits:
Prisoners at Belize Central Prison
Our vision
We believe that the death penalty is a cruel and inhuman punishment which discriminates against the poorest and most disadvantaged members of society.
We use the law to create change and achieve fairer criminal justice systems, where the human rights of all people are upheld.

Our Stories
Our legal work provides a lifeline to vulnerable prisoners and has helped to develop the law around the world.

Wenceslaus James

Devon Gordon, Deon Greenidge and Sherwyn Harte

Vinson Ariste

Lescene Edwards

Berthill Fox

Betty*

Aron John

Joshua French

Jainarine Persaud

Lavern Longsworth

Susan Kigula

Earl Pratt and Ivan Morgan

Nardis Maynard

Michael Maharaj, Damien Ramiah, Seenath Ramiah, Samuel Maharaj, Bobby Ramiah, Daniel Gopaul, Richard Huggins, and Mark Jaikaran

Anton Bastian
What we do
We fight on behalf of those whose right to life, to a fair trial and to humane treatment is at stake.

Free legal representation
We provide free legal representation and assistance to individuals facing the death penalty and other vulnerable prisoners. …

Capacity building
We deliver practical and targeted training to members of the judiciary, lawyers, mental health professionals and others working in the criminal justice system.…

Research & publications
We commission and publish original research and resources to address knowledge gaps and deepen understanding on the death penalty.…

Policy & engagement
We engage governments and other stakeholders in dialogue on the death penalty, to support a more informed and constructive debate.…
Our latest news and events
Read the latest news on The Death Penalty Project and our work from around the world


PRESS RELEASE: Zimbabwe takes historic decision to abolish the death penalty
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PRESS RELEASE: DNA expert evidence relied on by prosecution to convict a man of murder over 10 years ago was fundamentally flawed
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PRESS RELEASE: Constitutional Court sets Taiwan on an irrevocable path to abolishing the death penalty
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PRESS RELEASE: British National sentenced to death in DRC
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PRESS RELEASE: Catalogue of errors leads to a miscarriage of justice in St Kitts and Nevis
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Strengthening the Abolitionist Movement: Launch of the Global Consortium for Death Penalty Abolition
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PRESS RELEASE: British National at risk of the Death Penalty in DRC
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PRESS RELEASE: Privy Council overturns murder and armed robbery convictions in 2015 joint enterprise trial in The Bahamas
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PRESS RELEASE: Systemic failures in DNA testing leads to release of Bermudan man wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for more than 10 years
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DW: Will Taiwan abolish the death penalty this year?
Read MorePRESS RELEASE: Future of the death penalty in Taiwan to be determined by historic legal challenge
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The Telegraph: Will Africa be the next continent to abolish the death penalty?
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Privy Council quashes murder convictions in Jamaica, highlighting the importance of fair trial rights
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Focus on Africa podcast - Why African countries are saying no to the death penalty
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Zimbabwe's Cabinet backs proposed legislation to abolish the death penalty
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Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty: Dignity. Justice. International Symposium on the Right to Life - Taiwan Death Penalty Prison Interview Project
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BLOG: Human Rights Day 2023 – Challenging the myth of public support for the death penalty
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Life After Death Row: interview with Wenceslaus James
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