IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

World coalition against the death penalty
An alliance of more than 150 NGOs, bar associations, local authorities and unions, it was created in Rome on 13 May 2002. It was founded as a result of the commitment made by the signatories of the Final Declaration of the First World Congress Against the Death Penalty organised by the French NGO Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM) in Strasbourg in June 2001. The aim of the World Coalition is to strengthen the international dimension of the fight against the death penalty by lobbying international organisations and States, by organising international campaigns, including the World Day Against the Death Penalty, and by supporting national and regional abolitionist forces.

CONGRESS SPONSOR STATES

Norwegian ministry of foreign affairs
It was a great honour for Norway to host the 6th World Congress Against the Death Penalty and welcome more than 1,000 participants to Oslo. The abolitionist struggle is a key issue in Norway and the country is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances. The death penalty is a global problem which goes beyond regional, cultural and religious particularities. Progress towards abolition must be made from a global perspective. Norway firmly believes in concerted collective action where governments, the UN, civil society, academics and activists work side by side. That is another reason why Norway decided to host the 6th World Congress Against the Death Penalty.

Australian Government
Australia is a longstanding opponent of the death penalty. Our support for abolition is based on the view that the death penalty is an inhumane form of punishment that violates the inherent human right to life. Australia has been an active voice over many years in support of abolition, both at the United Nations and bilaterally. We welcome the strong positive movement over the past two decades, with over
40 countries abolishing the death penalty in that time. Australia is pleased to be a co-sponsor of the 6th World Congress Against the Death Penalty and to have supported the 2nd Asian Regional Congress in 2015. We commend the Congress on its important role in bringing together stakeholders from a wide range of fields and countries, both retentionist and abolitionist. Our aim should be a world without the death penalty.

Minister of Foreign Affairs
By sponsoring and participating in the 6th World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Oslo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has sought to renew France’s commitment against this cruel and inhuman punishment, making it a priority in its work for human rights. The entire diplomatic network is mobilised to encourage all States to move towards abolition, demand that death sentences not be carried out and fund work to raise awareness. At the UN, France promotes the adoption of the General Assembly’s biennial resolution in favour of a universal moratorium and resolutions at the Human Rights Council.