On the occasion of the 2023 World Day Against the Death Penalty on 10 October, Amnesty International highlights in a new briefing the use of the death penalty for drug related offences, which is unlawful under international human rights law and standards and has been applied in a discriminatory manner. Despite this, hundreds of drug related executions have been carried out in recent years, disproportionately affecting those from marginalized sectors of society and often following proceedings that violated international standards for a fair trial.
Amnesty International renews its calls on governments of countries that still retain this cruel punishment to immediately establish an official moratorium on all executions, as a first step towards full abolition of the death penalty; and on governments around the world to shift away from punitive responses to drugs towards alternatives that better protect human rights and public health.
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception, regardless of the nature or circumstances of the crime; guilt, innocence or other characteristics of the individual; or the method used by the state to carry out the execution.
Read the report: “2023 Unlawful & Discriminatory: The Death Penalty For Drug Related Offenses”