The UN General Assembly’s third committee voted on a resolution for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty. The result was 110 votes in favour (+1), 39 against (-2), 36 abstentions (+1) and 8 absent (+1). There will be a final vote by the UNGA plenary in December.

Penal Reform International [PRI] recently launched a new two-year project to support progressive abolition and the implementation of humane alternative sanctions in four regions of the world. The project is being implemented with the financial assistance of the European Union, under the Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), and in partnership with Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) based in Kampala, Uganda. The project will be implemented in Central Asia (Kazakhstan and Tajikistan), East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda), Eastern Europe (Belarus and Russia), and in the Middle East and North Africa (Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia).
This project will allow Penal Reform International to follow up its programme of work that was implemented under a previous two-year EC-funded project, which was completed in March 2012.

• It is expected that this new project will see an increased commitment by governments towards abolition of the death penalty by restricting and reducing its use through legal and policy reforms.
• To engage in a debate on alternative sanctions that are fair, proportionate and respect international human rights.
• To humanize prison conditions for death row prisoners and those serving a life/long-term sentence.
• To ratify international human rights instruments.

The project will also work closely with local civil society organizations, including representatives of the media, in all ten countries to raise awareness and exchange information regarding the application of the death penalty and alternative sanctions is developed and strengthened.