Ei-iE

10 October is the World Day Against the Death Penalty. This year, actions and initiatives across the globe focus on “Teaching abolition.” Education International supports these activities and joins other unions, NGOs and individuals in their fight for the abolition of the death penalty.

“The death penalty violates the most fundamental human right: the right to live,” explained EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen. “It represents the triumph of revenge, not of justice.”

The death penalty is often used as a means of political suppression: Since 2008, EI is campaigning for the release of Farzad Kamangar, an Iranian Kurdish teacher unionist who was sentenced to death because of his union activity after an unfair trial that lasted only a few minutes. Also other countries like Pakistan or Belarus use the death penalty to crush opposition movements.

“As teachers, we see our mission in opening young people’s minds, in equipping them with the tools to become independent and critical minds, and to build the democratic society of tomorrow,” Fred van Leeuwen said. “Democracy is based on mutual respect, on dialogue and justice – not on violence, revenge and executions.”

This year’s World Day Against the Death Penalty on 10 October is an opportunity to discuss this issue in classrooms. The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, a network of NGOs, trade unions, bar associations and public bodies, has for this purpose compiled a manual for teachers of students aged 14 to 18. It contains directions for role plays and discussions, as well as suggestions for movies, songs and literature that can be used in teaching abolition (available on www.worldcoalition.org).