“It’s a demented and culturally devastating attraction, which undoes years of work on the part of those struggling against the death penalty.”

Romano Prodi, the ex-President of the Council of the Italian Government, was presented with “The Abolitionist of the Year 2008” Award by Hands Off Cain. The award recognises the person who, above all others, demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the struggle for a moratorium on executions and the abolition of the death penalty.

during the ceremony for the “Abolitionist of the Year 2008” Award, Hands Off Cain presented its 2008 Report on the Death Penalty Worldwide.

at the presentation of the Hands Off Cain 2008 Report on the Death Penalty Worldwide, Marco Pannella used the occasion to promote his “Moratorium on the death penalty also for Tareq Aziz” campaign. Mr Pannella has been on a hunger strike since midnight, July 6th.

a convicted Nigerian drug trafficker was beheaded by the sword in the holy city of Mecca, in western Saudi Arabia, the interior ministry said.

Eyad Ahmed Sukkar, 35, was sentenced to death by firing squad in a Gaza City court after prosecutors charged him with transferring information to Israel that resulted in the deaths of two wanted Hamas terrorists.

the Council of Ministers approved the proposal by Franco Frattini, the Foreign Affairs Minister, and Angelino Alfano, the Justice Minister, concerning a draft law for the ratification of Protocol 13 of the European Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental liberties, including the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances.

three executions were reported in Indonesia.

at least eight women and one man have been sentenced to be stoned to death in Iran and may be executed at any time, the lawyers defending several of those sentenced said.

the French Presidency of the European Union said it was "deeply concerned

Four people were executed in east China for manslaughter and drug smuggling, state

an Iranian woman arrested at the age of 13 is due to be hanged after