In a significant move towards global advocacy against capital punishment, the International Commission Against the Death Penalty (ICDP) has recognized the Philippines for its dedicated support. On 12 March 2024, Ms. Asunta Vivó Cavaller, the Executive Director of ICDP, along with Director Rajiv Narayan, paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier. The meeting aimed to discuss and extend gratitude for the Philippines’ commitment to furthering the objectives of the ICDP through a proposed financial contribution.
The ICDP, comprised of eminent personalities with international stature, serves as an independent body advocating for the abolition of capital punishment worldwide. Supported by a diverse group of 23 nations, the Commission’s mission resonates with countries committed to eliminating the death penalty. Among the members are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Togo, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
The Philippines holds a special place within the ICDP as one of its founding members, having signed the founding declaration on 28 September 2010. No less than former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stands as one of the esteemed Commissioners of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty.
The acknowledgment of the Philippines’ efforts underscores the nation’s unwavering commitment to human rights and the pursuit of justice on a global scale. By supporting the ICDP’s initiatives, the Philippines reinforces its stance against the death penalty, aligning itself with the international community in the quest for a more humane and just world.