Published on: 2026-06-30
Source: United Nations – Объединенные Нации –
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June 30, 2026 Human Rights
The death penalty is incompatible with human dignity and should not be applied under any circumstances. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk spoke today at the opening of the Ninth World Congress Against the Death Penalty, calling on states to completely abandon this practice.
Speaking at a forum held in Paris, Türk noted that today the abolition of the death penalty is becoming a global norm. According to him, about 90 percent of countries have already abandoned its use either legislatively or in practice, by introducing a moratorium on carrying out sentences.
The High Commissioner reminded that the United Nations consistently opposes the death penalty. “Taking a person’s life by state decision is, from my point of view as High Commissioner, a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment,” he emphasized.
Members of vulnerable groups are most often subjected to execution
Türk noted that where the death penalty is retained, its application is often “arbitrary and discriminatory.” According to him, people from poor and marginalized communities are most frequently sentenced to the highest punishment. Furthermore, the death penalty is increasingly used against dissenters and critics of the authorities. Of particular concern, according to the High Commissioner, is the practice of issuing death sentences for acts that international law does not classify as “most serious crimes.”
Progress remains uneven
Despite a persistent global trend toward abolishing the death penalty, Tyrk expressed concern that some countries are expanding its application.
The very idea of the death penalty has failed at all levels. Its cost is too high for individuals, society, and states. Every effort must be made to ensure that this monstrous practice remains a thing of the past forever.
As examples, he mentioned Israel, where legislation was adopted that effectively restored the possibility of applying the death penalty exclusively in relation to Palestinians, as well as Burkina Faso, where a bill has been prepared to restore the death penalty for a range of crimes.
He also pointed to the sharp increase in the number of executions in certain countries, including Iran, and once again expressed concern about the lack of transparency regarding data on death sentences and executions in China.
“We must leave this practice in the past”
Türk called on governments, business representatives, charitable foundations, and civil society to more actively pursue the complete abolition of the death penalty. He noted that new partnerships and unconventional solutions could play an important role. For example, he highly praised the efforts of several pharmaceutical companies that do not allow their products to be used for executions.
“The very idea of the death penalty has failed at all levels. Its cost is too high for individuals, society, and states. Every effort must be made to ensure that this monstrous practice remains in the past forever,” he said.
Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the United Nations remains steadfastly committed to the universal abolition of the death penalty – “firmly and without any exceptions.”
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