s2_v3

Classify risk levels

Sequence 2

and respond appropriately to the potential return

of the death penalty

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Index

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THEORETICAL INPUT

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case study

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Scenario exercise

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RESOURCES

Introduction

Introduction

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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.

Introduction

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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.

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Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

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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.

Moderate Risk

High Risk

Very High Risk

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Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

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• 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.

Moderate Risk

Click here to find out how to respond

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.

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Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

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How to respond?

Coalition mobilization

Political engagement

Public education and advocacy

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

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Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

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• 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.

High Risk

Click here to find out how to respond

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

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Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

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How to respond?

Media campaigns and protesting

Legislative lobbying

International advocacy

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

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Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

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

Very High Risk

Click here to find out how to respond

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

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Risk Levels, Characteristics, and examples

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How to respond? Click on the icon to read more

Rapid coalition mobilization

Legal challenges

Emergency campaigns

Consent

International pressure

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

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A Strategic Approach to Escalating Risks

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

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

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

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

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A Strategic Approach to Escalating Risks

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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.

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A Strategic Approach to Escalating Risks

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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.

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case Study

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

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case study

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Maldives

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.

Click here to read more.

Click here to answer the reflection questions about this situation.

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case study

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

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

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case Study

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

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

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Scenario exercise

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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:

Renovate execution chambers

Minor amendment

Advocating publicly

Draft bill

Influential religious leaders

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Scenario exercise

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Scenario exercise

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Click on each risk to reveal the classification logic

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

Advocating publicly

Influential religious leaders

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

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

Minor amendment

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Scenario exercise

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Click on each risk to reveal the classification logic

Draft bill

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

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

Renovate execution chambers

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Scenario exercise

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Click on each risk to reveal an action plan.

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

Advocating publicly

Influential religious leaders

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

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

Minor amendment

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Scenario exercise

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Click on each risk to reveal an action plan.

Draft bill

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

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

Renovate execution chambers

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Resources

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

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

You can also check the WCADP survey:

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

Conclusion

Conclusion

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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.

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

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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.

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.

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

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.

Coalition mobilization

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

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

Public education and advocacy

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.

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.

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.

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.