21st World Day Against the Death Penalty

The World Day Against the Death Penalty occurs every year on October 10. This year, it falls on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, and is the 21st year of the World Day Against the Death Penalty. Typically, every year, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty chooses a topic to focus on regarding death penalty statistics. This year, however, they are building upon the topic and momentum from last year continuing to focus on the  link between the death penalty and “torture or other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment.”

Unfortunately, in many nations around the world, death row inmates allege that they are tortured into confessing. Torture can be both physical and psychological. It is also forbidden by international law standards. Additionally, many believe that residing on death row, where conditions are often vastly different and more strict than general population inmates, contributes to a decline in mental health.

In the United States of America, the Supreme Court of the United States has held that mentally incompetent individuals cannot be executed. Some inmates have been removed from death row, after residing there for years, because they are no longer eligible to be executed due to declining mental health. Declining mental health is also often cited in appeals, especially leading up to executions.

While inmates have been sent to death row for heinous crimes, they are still people, created by God.  They are worthy of being shown compassion and treated kindly. On this, the 21st World Day Against the Death Penalty, we, at The Forgiveness Foundation Christian Ministries, ask that you pray for those on death row. Pray for those who are unjustly imprisoned. Pray for those who are suffering. Also, remember the family members of those on death row and the struggles they face.

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