Regional congresses: moving forward locally to progress globally
To ensure the best possible preparation for the World Congresses, a Regional Congress is held to focus attention on a particular region of the globe : in 2012 in Rabat (Morocco), in 2015 in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), in 2018 in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), in 2023 in Amman (Jordan) and in 2025 in Tokyo (Japan).
In 2025, ECPM’s team will focus on East Asia. The 5th Regional Congress on the death penalty in East Asia will occur in Tokyo (Japan), from November, 7 to 9 within the Risho University.
While 151 countries worldwide have abolished the death penalty in law or practice, and a decreasing number of retentionist countries carry out executions, the abolition of capital punishment is now a global trend. In fact, fewer and fewer countries still carry out executions.
World Congresses: an unmissable meeting
ECPM’s World Congresses aim to take stock of progress towards universal abolition and the difficulties encountered along the way. They are a unique opportunity to assemble actors working for abolition at the local, regional and international levels, who are in a position to contribute effectively to the elimination of the death penalty from judicial and legislative arsenals: activists, lawyers representing death row prisoners, political leaders and diplomats, parliamentarians, former death row prisoners and victims’ families.
Over the past twenty years, the World Congresses have become the essential meeting place for abolitionists from all over the world. Every three years, they come together in a different city to advance the cause of universal abolition: in 2004 in Montreal (Canada); in 2007 in Paris (France); in 2010 in Geneva (Switzerland); in 2013 in Madrid (Spain); in 2016 in Oslo (Norway); in 2019 in Brussels (Belgium); and in 2022 in Berlin (Germany).
The 8th World Congress Against the Death Penalty took place in Berlin from November 15 to 18, 2022 : over a thousand participants from 90 countries gathered in the German capital for the most important gathering of abolitionists. For four days, politicians, activists and committed citizens debated major issues concerning the death penalty worldwide.
About the next World Congress : 2026 Paris objective
This major triennial gathering undoubtedly contributes to promoting the sense of being part of a global movement, especially for the most isolated members of civil society, who are most often active in retentionist countries. Many of them testify to the impetus generated by the Congresses to pursue their efforts, drawing on the advice and good practices collected within the abolitionist community, which is structured as an interactive network.
This year’s new topics include focusing on the role of magistrates and stakeholders of the judicial chain in the process of abolishing the death penalty and mobilising young people worldwide, and much more, can be found in our academic programme.
Relive previous Congresses !
