United Nations – World Day Against the Death Penalty / M. Robert Badinter’s entry into the Panthéon (Octobre 9, 2025)

The abolition of the death penalty is continually gaining ground in the world. Over two-thirds of States have abolished it in law or in practice, but 47 States continue to apply it. Capital punishment is not an instrument of criminal law, it is a violation of human rights. On Friday 10 October, the 23rd World Day Against the Death Penalty, France reiterates its opposition, everywhere and in all circumstances, to this cruel, unjust, inhuman punishment. France calls on States applying it to establish a moratorium, with a view to its definitive abolition, and encourages all States to sign and ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at its abolition.

We pay tribute to the memory of Robert Badinter and welcome his entry into the Panthéon today. The Act of 9 October 1981 enshrined France’s long-fought battle to promote human dignity.

True to this heritage, France will continue to promote this commitment in all multilateral fora, and in its relations with partner States and with civil society. It welcomes the Human Rights Council’s adoption on 7 October of the resolution entitled “Question of the death penalty”, which it puts forward every two years with its partners. To maintain the abolitionist momentum, France will host the next World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris from 30 June to 2 July 2026, as President Macron announced in 2023 on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.