Towards the Abolition of the Death Penalty is a panel discussion series on Zoom that tackles the complex question of the death penalty with a view to its abolition in retentionist states, primarily in the contemporary context of Southwest Asia (the Middle East) in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, among others.
The series provides in-depth discussions on the death penalty from diverse legal, philosophical, sociological, psychological, and political perspectives. The speakers address and put in context current instances of the death penalty, exploring the dynamics involved in this criminal sanction. The series aims to create a dialogical platform for everyone interested in engaging with the abolitionist discourse to discuss the possibilities and challenges to put an end to the death penalty.
Each session introduces the audience to significant aspects of capital punishment, expounding theoretical and practical particularities of the sanction. Apart from the opening discussion on philosophical aspects of the death penalty, the series presents on the following themes: the role of women and the abolition of the death penalty, international human rights law, political violence, Islam, legal systems, children and trauma, sociological aspects, as well as nonviolence and forgiveness.
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WEBINAR #6 | War & the death penalty
In this session, the death penalty will be examined in both global and regional contexts, with a focus on times of armed conflict. We will explore how war increases violations of the right to life and poses a serious challenge to the abolitionist discourse. War will be discussed as a setting in which the state’s use of lethal force is readily justified, expanded, and normalized. The death penalty, in its various forms, is often imposed on vague grounds such as national security, espionage, sedition, or terrorism. During periods of foreign aggression, these justifications become especially convenient for the continued use of capital punishment. The session will shed light on ideas and ways to hold aggressors and human rights violators accountable in such contexts, for protecting human life, particularly in times of war.
Speakers
- Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam | Human Rights Activist, Iran Human Rights
- Alex Neve | Senior Fellow, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) & Adjunct Professor in International Human Rights Law, Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, University of Ottawa
- Omid Milani | Ph.D. in Law & Fellow, Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC), University of Ottawa
Narrative by Shole Pakravan | Social Activist
Moderator — Samira Mohyeddin | Journalism Fellow, Women & Gender Studies Institute (WGSI), University of Toronto