PRI Multi Regional Conference, 19-20 September 2011

PRI: Multi-regional conference “Progressing toward abolition of the death penalty and alternative sanctions that respect international human rights standards” 

Venue: European Commission Representation in the UK, London: 19 to 20 September, 2011

Click here for the Agenda

Click here for the London Declaration

Click here to hear the Keynote address by PRI Board member  Byran Stevenson.  Part one and Part two

Click here to read the conference report

INTRODUCTION:

PRI convenes an invite-only multi-regional conference to build upon the current momentum toward moratorium and abolition at the global level. Drawing on PRI’s current programme of work on the abolition of the death penalty and alternative sanctions, this conference seeks to consolidate PRI’s work in specific regions.

The multi-regional conference is part of a series of activities organised by PRI and its partners to provide a platform for debate and discussion on the death penalty, to increase public awareness toward abolition, and to exchange experiences and lessons learned from working toward moratorium and abolition in nineteen countries across five regions: Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan); East Africa (Kenya and Uganda); Eastern Europe (Belarus, Russia and Ukraine); Middle East and North Africa (Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen); and South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia).

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE AND OUTCOMES:

The conference will generate in-depth discussions between civil society and government officials about the best approach and path that should be followed in each of the regions to achieve the ultimate goal of abolition. It will provide a forum to discuss the often ignored question of alternative sanctions to the death penalty where a moratorium is in place or the where the death penalty has been abolished, and the growing use of life imprisonment or life without the option of parole. Participants will also include representatives from inter-governmental organisations, international NGOs, academics, and other key stakeholders working in the fight against the death penalty.

PRI is committed to showcasing presentations from around the world and encouraging death penalty research, advocacy and policy at all levels. PRI wants the conference to inspire delegates and introduce them to new ideas and ways of thinking or working.

The conference agenda can be downloaded here.

CONFERENCE RESOURCES:

PRI will make available to all participants various resources on the death penalty and alternative sanctions. Some of those resources can be downloaded now:
• Death Penalty Information Pack
• Alternative Sanctions Information Pack
• Recommendations from East Africa regional conference
• Recommendations Central Asia regional conference
• Recommendations from South Caucasus regional conference

CONFERENCE MEDIA COVERAGE

Death Penalty: Not in the Name of the Quran  

Capital Punishment: Dying Out

Click here for PRI media coverage

Other PRI resources on the abolition of the death penalty can be located here.

This conference is being implemented with the financial assistance of the European Union, under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), and with the financial assistance of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The content of this conference is the sole responsibility of Penal Reform International and can in no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union or the FCO.