PRI will give an oral statement on the question of the death penalty to the 21st Session of the Human Rights Council later today

The proceedings are being streamed live by the UN. Click here to watch.

The statement will call on all states that retain the death penalty to ensure that it is not imposed on those who were under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged offence, or on those who have mental or intellectual disabilities.

It will also call for states which retain the death penalty to:

• ratify relevant international instruments and introduce a moratorium on the death penalty;
• implement the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners with regard to prisoners on death row; and to minimise the suffering of those sentenced to death, in particular to end the use of prolonged, solitary confinement;
• put in place a comprehensive legal aid system that is accessible and effective, has a nationwide reach and is available to all without discrimination.