The International Commission against the Death Penalty deeply regrets the reported execution, carried out by Japanese authorities, of 34-year-old Takahiro Shiraishi on Friday, 27 June 2025.

The seminar took place as a side event to the 14th Lao PDR–European Union Human Rights Dialogue and marked the first open, multi-stakeholder discussion on the death penalty ever held in the country.

The International Commission against the Death Penalty participated in a landmark, first-ever seminar on the death penalty held on 12 June 2025 in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

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“The abolition of the death penalty requires political will, it is shaped by and often lead by the leaders of the country and it becomes a longstanding powerful legacy for those who bring about this change” Commissioner Darusman emphasized during his intervention in Laos

“No executions since 1989—this long-standing restraint is a strong foundation for future progress on the right to life,” Commissioner Darusman highlights at Laos’ first death penalty seminar

ICDP Commissioner Marzuki Darusman speaks at Laos’ 1st-ever death penalty seminar, a side event to the 14th Lao PDR–EU Human Rights Dialogue. A milestone for a country with no executions in over 35 years opening space for a dialogue on the future of capital punishment.

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A delegation of the International Commission against the Death Penalty, led by Commissioner Tsakhia Elbegdorj, former President of Mongolia, visited Tokyo from 16 to 22 May 2025.

I believe in Japan. We must not wait for another Hakamada case to awaken us. The time to act is not tomorrow, not someday, but today. Let Japan once again be a light to the world.

In my discussions, I made recommendations: - please do not carry out executions which japan has not done since 2002.- more transparency to remove secrecy shrouding death penalty .- requested change of Japan’s vote to abstain at UNGA moratorium resolution

During this mission,we have met with the Minister of Justice, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, parliamentarians, the Japan Bar Associations and students. I respectfully urge the Japanese government: do not carry out executions. Share information about application of the DP.

Japan is a great leader in our region. But there remains one dark spot: the death penalty. Around the world, 144 countries have abolished it or no longer use it. Japan has the strength, moral responsibility to join them by moving toward ending death penalty.

The death penalty has no deterrent effect — instead, in my experience, it can even be aggravating. Most victims of violent crime do not seek the death penalty; they seek truth, justice, accountability. I believe not in the severity of punishment, but in certainty of punishment.

In Japan, there is currently an expo focused on designing the future of our society and its theme is focused on ‘life.’ I came here to Japan to say: no more Hiroshima, no more Nagasaki, no more Hakamada. The protection of life and human dignity will be the purpose of my life.

Abolishing the death penalty is a starting point for addressing other human rights violations. It is the most inhumane form of punishment. As long as that door remains closed, we cannot fully confront other abuses. But when we abolish it, we open the way to greater transparency.

Some say Japan is very safe because it has the death penalty. But true safety doesn’t come from fear, it comes from trust. Three OECD countries — Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland — have some of the lowest rates of violence in the world, and none of them have the death penalty.