World Day Against the Death Penalty marked by global calls for abolition

On October 10, various religious, human rights, and political organizations observed the World Day Against the Death Penalty. Pope Leo XIV issued a statement declaring capital punishment “inadmissible” because it violates human dignity and the possibility of redemption.

In Iran, reports indicate a significant rise in executions, with at least 2,167 recorded in 2025 and over 1,100 in the first nine months of 2026. Concerns have been raised regarding the judiciary's directives to expedite death sentences for protesters and political prisoners.

In the United States, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) continues its advocacy by requesting clemency from governors for those on death row, citing restorative justice and human dignity. Meanwhile, Italian advocacy groups, including Coalit and the Sacco and Vanzetti Association, highlighted the irreversible nature of the penalty, citing historical injustices such as the 1927 execution of Italian anarchists in the US and the long-term detention of Iwao Hakamada in Japan.