ECPM ON THE SPOT
ECPM is developing action in a number of countries in order to spread the abolitionist cause far and wide. This work hinges on four essential areas. The first, federation, involves identifying actors committed to combating the death penalty and enabling them to unite their strengths. Reinforcement, the second area, aims to assist these actors in their struggle against capital punishment by providing support, be it strategic, financial, logistical, etc. This in turn can feed the third area: advocacy. This requires the organisation of high-level political meetings, the creation of awareness raising campaigns, the establishment of regular anti-death penalty events, etc. Finally, the Education section is particularly interested in raising awareness among citizens in the school environment. Through its involvement on the ground, ECPM has developed real expertise in the various obstacles to abolition which can persist in a variety of national contexts.
As the case is emblematic of the problems within the American justice system, ECPM demands Justice for Hank who was sentenced to death in 1995 by the state of Texas for a triple homicide which he has always denied committing. Within this framework, ECPM launched the campaign Justice for Hank Skinner on the eve of the 4th World Congress Against the Death Penalty (24-26 February 2010 in Geneva) and in reaction to Hank Skinner’s execution date, initially planned for 24 February 2010, the date the Congress opened. Sandrine Ageorges-Skinner, Hank Skinner’s wife, because the “face” of this major event for abolitionists from across the world.
Since then, ECPM has publicised the work of the Hank Skinner Support Group which seeks funds for his defence.
For more information about this case, go to the website, the Facebook page or the Twitter account.