s2_v3

Sequence 2

Classify risk levels

Start

of the death penalty

and respond appropriately to the potential return

2/27

1.

1.

RESOURCES

4.

4.

Index

case study

2.

2.

THEORETICAL INPUT

Scenario exercise

3.

3.

3/27

Introduction

Introduction

Confronting the resurgence of the death penalty demands a focused and strategic approach. By classifying risk levels, we can better understand the different threats and respond with precision and urgency. Each stage of risk, from emerging discussions to imminent actions, require a unique strategy, ensuring that efforts are impactful, timely, and realistic for human rights defenders.

4/27

Introduction

This chapter equips you to identify these risk levels, recognize their characteristics, and apply targeted responses that align with the gravity of the situation. Together, we can address this serious challenge with informed and purposeful action.

5/27

1.

Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

Very High Risk

High Risk

Moderate Risk

1.

1.

How can you make a difference in the fight against the death penalty?You need to identify risk levels—from moderate to imminent— and discover actionable strategies to counter each one effectively.

6/27

Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

Moderate Risk

Click here to find out how to respond

1.

1.

At the moderate risk level, preparing a response is key. The goal is to educate the public and decision-makers, counter the spread of pro-death penalty rhetoric, and solidify the foundations of the abolitionist movement.

• Political discussions or minor legislative proposals related to the death penalty without concrete action.
• Emerging rhetoric supporting capital punishment from political, religious, or social figures.

7/27

Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

Example: Advocates can organize community-based education to prevent public support for capital punishment from gaining traction.

Coalition mobilization

Political engagement

Public education and advocacy

How to respond?

1.

1.

8/27

Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

High Risk

Click here to find out how to respond

1.

1.

At the high-risk level, fast and impactful actions are necessary to prevent irreversible steps toward reinstating the death penalty.

• Draft bills proposing the reintroduction of the death penalty tabled in parliament.
• Significant political or social rhetoric supporting capital punishment gaining traction.
• Initial preparations for executions, such as securing execution drugs or revising protocols.

9/27

Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

International advocacy

Media campaigns and protesting

How to respond?

Example: In high-risk contexts, actions include urgent advocacy with lawmakers and leveraging international mechanisms.

Legislative lobbying

1.

1.

10/27

Very High Risk

Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

Click here to find out how to respond

1.

1.

When the risk becomes imminent, responses must be rapid, coordinated, and far-reaching to prevent executions and reverse regressive policies.

• Execution warrants signed or legislation reinstating the death penalty passed into law.
• Scheduled executions or final procedural steps toward implementation.

11/27

Rapid coalition mobilization

International pressure

Legal challenges

Emergency campaigns

Consent

How to respond? Click on the icon to read more

1.

Example: Immediate actions are needed, such as organizing emergency advocacy when execution warrants are signed.

1.

Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

12/27

A Strategic Approach to Escalating Risks

To effectively respond to the evolving threat of the death penalty, advocates must:

Engage stakeholders: Build partnerships across local, national, and international levels to strengthen efforts and amplify impact.

Mobilize resources appropriately: Tailor responses to the risk level—proactive measures for moderate risks and urgent actions for imminent threats.

3.

Assess the risk level: Analyze the political, social, and legislative environment to determine the level of threat.

2.

3.

1.

2.

1.

1.

1.

13/27

A Strategic Approach to Escalating Risks

This risk-based approach ensures resources are used efficiently, and interventions are timely and effective. Advocacy thrives on preparation, adaptability, and unity, making it possible to counter the return of the death penalty at any stage of risk.

1.

1.

14/27

A Strategic Approach to Escalating Risks

Responses must be tailored to the specific risk level, with proactive measures taken at lower risk levels and urgent, coordinated actions required as the risk escalates. This strategic approach helps ensure that advocates can effectively respond to the evolving threat of the death penalty.

1.

1.

15/27

2.

case Study

1.

2.

Are you ready for the case study? Let's start!

16/27

case study

Click here to answer the reflection questions about this situation.

Click here to read more.

Take note of this case study and then answer the questions.

On 11 July 2016, with the support of civil society, Hussain Humaam Ahmed’s father submitted an urgent request to the UN Human Rights Committee (UN HRC) to halt his son’s imminent execution. In response, the UN HRC intervened and requested the government of Maldives for a stay of execution, pending an appeal. Several UN human rights experts also issued statements to that effect.

1.

Maldives

2.

17/27

case study

What factors would you consider when assessing the risk levels of an imminent execution in this case? How would you prioritize these factors?

Here is an example of a possible answer.Click and take the time to read it before moving on to the next part!

1.

2.

18/27

case Study

Based on the risk assessment, what specific actions or interventions would you recommend to address the situation and prevent the execution?

Here is an example of a possible answer.Click and take the time to read it before moving on to the next part!

1.

2.

19/27

Influential religious leaders

Draft bill

Renovate execution chambers

Minor amendment

3.

Scenario exercise

Rising Debate on the Death Penalty In the fictional country of Countria, the death penalty was abolished 20 years ago. However, recent developments have raised concerns about its potential return:

3.

Advocating publicly

20/27

Scenario exercise

3.

21/27

Scenario exercise

Click on each risk to reveal an action plan.

The legislative amendment, even if indirect, can create a legal framework that enables the return of the death penalty.

Minor amendment

Influential religious leaders

Influential groups are organizing campaigns, increasing public support and political pressure.

It is an individual opinion, with no direct legislative implications at this stage.

3.

Advocating publicly

22/27

Scenario exercise

Click on each risk to reveal an action plan.

Specific bill directly proposing the reinstatement of the death penalty makes the risk imminent.

Renovate execution chambers

Draft bill

The Ministry’s concrete actions (renovation and procurement of execution equipment) indicate advanced preparation to implement the death penalty.

3.

23/27

Scenario exercise

Click on each risk to reveal an action plan.

Urgent legislative lobbying to ensure the amendment does not lead to reinstating the death penalty.

Minor amendment

Influential religious leaders

Mobilize coalitions and focus on public awareness campaigns to prevent public support for capital punishment from gaining traction.

Increase public education efforts and engage with political leaders. Mobilize coalitions to counteract any growing support for capital punishment.

3.

Advocating publicly

24/27

Scenario exercise

Click on each risk to reveal an action plan.

Mobilization of public opinion through protests and international advocacy to pressure lawmakers.

Renovate execution chambers

Draft bill

Immediate mobilization of coalitions, urgent public campaigns, and international pressure to prevent executions.

3.

25/27

World Coalition Guide on How to Prevent a Return of the Death Penalty (guide p. 11-12.)

What is the Risk that the Death Penalty Will Return in Your Country?

4.

Resources

To learn more about how to classify risk levels and respond appropriately to the potential return of the death penalty, you can read:

You can also check the WCADP survey:

4.

26/27

Addressing the resurgence of the death penalty requires timely, strategic action tailored to each risk level.This module has provided you tools to classify risks, from moderate to imminent, and respond effectively through education, advocacy, coalition building, and legal interventions.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Go back

You reached the end of Module 2

thank you

By working collaboratively and adapting strategies to evolving threats, you can help safeguard human rights and prevent the return of capital punishment.

A prominent political leader has started publicly advocating for the return of the death penalty in speeches and on social media, citing increasing crime rates as justification.

Legal challenges

Pursue immediate legal actions to delay or prevent executions. Engage international courts or treaty bodies if applicable.

Exemple https://achpr.au.int/index.php/en/adopted-resolutions/544-resolution-death-penalty-and-prohibition-torture-and-cruel

International pressure

Leverage diplomatic channels and media to create global attention. Pressure from international allies, such as the African Commission or European Union can urgently block a law or stay an execution.

The Minister of Justice has announced plans to renovate execution chambers that have been unused for decades and has confirmed securing execution drugs.

A draft bill explicitly proposing the return of the death penalty has been tabled for discussion in parliament.

To assess the risk levels of an imminent execution in this case, several key factors must be considered. First, the timing of the execution is critical; understanding how close the execution is scheduled helps prioritize urgent actions. Second, the judicial and legal context must be evaluated, including getting legal advice as to whether procedural flaws exist or if the appeals process has been exhausted. The Maldives’ political environment is another vital factor, particularly the government’s responsiveness to international human rights obligations and willingness to comply with the UN Human Rights Committee’s intervention. Lastly, the strength of international pressure and the role of civil society in advocating for a stay of execution will influence the likelihood of halting the execution.

In parliament, a minor amendment to the criminal justice bill has been proposed. While it does not explicitly mention the death penalty, human rights advocates worry it could open the door to reinstating it.

Political engagement

Engage with political leaders to understand their positions and advocate against adopting pro-death penalty stances.

The Maldives has ratified the First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights "ICCPR", which empowers the UN Human Rights Committee, the body tasked with monitoring the implementation of the ICCPR, with the power to receive and consider individual complaints.

Based on this assessment, immediate actions should focus on legal and diplomatic interventions. Advocates should help find lawyers to act on behalf of the person set to be executed should to pursue legal challenges, leveraging procedural issues and the UN's request for a stay of execution to delay the process. Simultaneously, international advocacy should be intensified, with the UN, allied governments, and NGOs amplifying diplomatic pressure on Maldives officials. Public awareness campaigns, such as vigils, petitions, and media outreach, can mobilize domestic and international support, creating reputational and political consequences for proceeding with the execution. By uniting civil society, legal experts, and international actors, this multi-pronged approach can strengthen efforts to prevent the execution while reinforcing the Maldives’ accountability to its human rights commitments.

Ensure the anti-death penalty movement has the resources and unity needed to counteract potential threats.

Coalition mobilization

Strengthen alliances among NGOs, legal experts, and community leaders.

Increase efforts to inform the public about the ethical, legal, and practical issues surrounding the death penalty. Community-based education programs can help dispel myths particularly around claim that the death penalty is required for deterrence and crime prevention and emphasize the human costs of capital punishment.

Public education and advocacy

https://www.hrcsl.lk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Prison-Report-Final-2.pdf The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka commissioned a Prison Study showing the unjust reality of death rows and prisons in the country.

International advocacy

Contact international mechanisms such as the UN treaty bodies and Special Rapporteurs, or any regional human rights body, for advocacy to block/condemn pro-death penalty developments.

Legislative lobbying

Work closely with legislators to block or amend bills that would reintroduce the death penalty. Provide them with data, case studies, and international legal precedents to strengthen their opposition.

Rapid coalition mobilization

Unite religious leaders, community groups, and international organizations to create an urgent and unified front. Their collective voices can amplify calls to halt executions.

Several influential religious and political groups have joined the conversation, supporting the leader’s stance and launching campaigns calling for "justice through capital punishment."

Emergency campaigns

Launch urgent public awareness campaigns, including vigils, petitions, and direct appeals to policymakers.

Media campaigns and protesting

Leverage social and traditional media to generate public awareness and pressure policymakers. Use impactful messaging to highlight the dangers of regressing to capital punishment.

Consent

Permission to publicly advocate for a person on death row to have a stay of execution must be obtained through either the lawyer or family of that person.