On the World Day Against the Death Penalty, we unite in our call to affirm the right to life of all persons and call for the universal abolition of capital punishment.

This day is a constant reminder to reflect on the progress made to abolish the death penalty in all corners of the world and also to think about how we can overcome the challenges in some parts of the world where this inhumane practice still persists.

The Coalition against the Death Penalty [CADP] recalls our country’s history with the death penalty—having abolished it in 2006, only to face ongoing debates about its reinstatement in the recent past.

We are grateful that the desire for this has waned. CADP remains watchful and ready to push back any threats veering away from abolition. We also commemorate this day as a celebration of life and the pursuit of justice.

We are committed to engage all stakeholders in respectful discussion especially those impacted by crime so we can seek viable alternatives to address criminality.

Instead of the death penalty, we call for:

• The elimination of the prevailing culture of violence and death and the “throw-away” attitude prevailing in our society.
• The passage of laws to reform our criminal justice system to make it more efficient and restorative such as harm reduction and other right to health approaches to rehabilitating offenders and treating their victims.
• The Government to effectively work on reforming all the pillars of the criminal justice system. It must focus on oversight of existing laws such as the laws on good conduct time allowance (GCTA), modernization of the Bureau of Corrections, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Board of Pardons and Parole, the Parole and Parole and Probation Administration, among other laws, it should address graft and corruption in the justice system.
• The upholding of the basic human rights of our PDLs and affording them the proper humane treatment in accordance with international laws and standards and ensure inclusion of all Persons deprived of liberty in the delivery of public services such as those provided in the Mental Health Act.

Let us AFFIRM THE INHERENT RIGHT TO LIFE AND THE DIGNITY OF EVERY PERSON and letus all work for a kind of JUSTICE THAT HEALS and RESTORES.

Manila, October 10,2024.

Signed

KAREN LUCIA GOMEZ-DUMPIT
President

CADP MemberOrganizations:

• CBCP-EPISCOPAL COMMISSION ON PRISON PASTORAL CARE
• PHILIPPINE JESUIT PRISON SERVICE
• PRO-LIFEPHILIPPINES
• PRISONERS ENHANCEMENTAND SUPPORTORGANIZATION (PRESO),INC.
• COUPLES FOR CHRIST GLOBAL
• MISSION FOUNDATION, INC.
• SANGGUNIANG LAIKO NG PILIPINAS
• MISSIONARY FAMILIES IN CHRIST
• COMMUNITY OF SAINT’ EGIDIO
• TASK FORCE DETAINEES OF THE PHILS.
• HUMANITARIAN LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION OF THE PHILIPPINES
• BISIG NI KRISTO COMMUNITY
• SAMAHAN NG MGA PAMILYANG MG NASA DEATH ROW (SPDR) INC.
• COVENANTS,INC
• SERVANTS OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
• COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
• VIPS -DIOCESE OF CUBAO
• VIPS -DIOCESE OF IMUS
• VIPS -DIOCESE OF KALOOKAN
• TASK FORCED ETAINEES OF THE PHILIPPINES
• VIPS – DIOCESE OF NOVALICHES
  

CADP Individual Members:

• FR. SILVINO L. BORRES, JR.SJ
• RODOLFO D. DIAMANTE
• MA. VICTORIA S. DIAZ
• MA. JULIETA WASAN
• CORAZON AFUANG
• GERARD IAN V. BERNABE