The Death Penalty Project

Who we are

The Death Penalty Project (DPP) is a legal action NGO based in London, with special consultive status before the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Driven by a belief that the death penalty is cruel and often discriminates against the poorest and most disadvantaged members of society, DPP uses the law to protect prisoners facing execution and promote fair criminal justice systems, where the rights of all people are respected. Its work has saved the lives of thousands of prisoners and transformed the legal landscape in the countries in which it operates.

DPP provides free legal representation to people facing the death penalty worldwide. It operates in over 30 countries with a focus on the Commonwealth. It also provides access to justice to vulnerable prisoners, including juveniles, those who suffer from mental health issues and victims of domestic abuse. To complement its legal work, DPP delivers capacity-building programmes to judges, lawyers and mental health professionals and others working within the criminal justice system. It also commissions original research and engage with governments and key stakeholders to support a more informed debate on the death penalty.