|
IN BRIEF
|
At 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty In Paris, Emmanuel Macron issued a warning: “Nothing is ever guaranteed.”, while the debate on the reinstatement of the death penalty resurfaces, 45 years after its abolition in France.
Faced with a context marked by tragic events and a poll indicating that 68% French people would be in favor of a referendum to restore the death penalty In some cases, the president recalled that the The death penalty does not deter, while in the world a increase in executions has been observed in recent years.
During the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris, the president Emmanuel Macron issued a warning: the fight forabolition of the death penalty is never definitively won. While a recent poll indicates that 68% of French people say they are in favor of a referendum Regarding the reinstatement of the death penalty for certain crimes, the head of state recalls that the death penalty “does not deter” and that the fight for its abolition remains a contemporary democratic issue. Several international examples and alarming figures from organizations such as Amnesty International illustrate the rise in executions worldwide.
A warning sign at the heart of the world congress
Speaking to representatives of NGOs and diplomatic corps gathered in Paris, Emmanuel Macron called for vigilance. He emphasized that, even 45 years after the abolition of the death penalty in France, “Nothing is guaranteed” The debate resurfaces regularly, fueled by tragic news stories and a rise in public emotion. The president warned against a trivialization of the discourse that would see the death penalty as a simple response to heinous crimes.
The French diplomatic and legal context regarding abolition is outlined in the texts and actions undertaken by the State: one can refer to the official positions and French diplomatic initiatives for the promotion of human rights on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which explains the commitment to…abolition of the death penalty (diplomatie.gouv.fr).
France facing public opinion
A poll that reignites the controversy
According to a CSA institute poll published in mid-June for CNEWS, Europe 1 and the JDD, 68% A significant number of French people have declared themselves in favor of a referendum on reinstating the death penalty for crimes against children. These figures, widely reported in the press, reflect a divided public opinion, sensitive to the emotions provoked by tragic criminal cases, such as the recent murders that have shocked society.
The media attention surrounding such cases fuels a cycle of demands for security and punitive measures, to which political leaders must respond by recalling the legal principles and ethical consequences of challenging the…abolitionThe coverage and analysis of these dynamics have been relayed by numerous national media outlets (Le Figaro, Europe 1, Franceinfo).
A political and symbolic role for the head of state
Emmanuel Macron has positioned himself as a defender of theabolitionemphasizing the character existential of this fight for democracies. Apart from the immediate issues of the presidential election, his speech seeks to recall a republican and universal value, as political analyses have also noted (The World).
Arguments and evidence presented: does the death penalty act as a deterrent?
The heart of the presidential argument concerns the supposed effectiveness of the death penalty. Macron asserted that the The death penalty has never made a society safer. and that she “does not deter”noting that studies and empirical observations have not established a robust deterrent effect, this point has been widely echoed by the specialized press and human rights organizations.
The issue of deterrence intersects with moral, legal, and practical dimensions: miscarriage of justice, political manipulation of executions, and the lack of evidence of a lasting deterrent effect. These factors argue for an approach based on prevention, restorative justice, and strengthening victim protection mechanisms.
International context: a worrying resurgence of executions
Alarming figures
The data published by Amnesty International report a sharp increase in executions in 2025: at least 2,707 executions recorded in 17 countries, representing a 78% increase compared to the previous year. The NGO points out, however, that these figures likely underestimate the reality, due to the lack of transparency in some countries, particularly the China.
Faced with this trend, France and NGOs are calling for diplomatic and international mobilization to denounce the use of the death penalty, particularly when it serves as a tool for political repression or social control.
Recent examples in Asia and the Middle East
Recent court cases illustrate the diversity of contexts in which the death penalty is still imposed. In Thailand, a serial killer was sentenced to death for fourteen homicides, a case that garnered widespread media coverage (Southeast Asia — Thailand).
In Vietnam, several high-profile cases have resulted in mass death sentences for drug trafficking: twenty-seven traffickers were sentenced to death in a recent case (Southeast Asia — VietnamFurthermore, the country is conducting large-scale operations against drug production laboratories, marking a severe criminal response to drug-related crime (Southeast Asia — drug lab in Vietnam).
Countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and China are among those that have carried out the most executions recently, according to the congress organizers. These practices illustrate very different rationales: political repression, response to security crises, or the maintenance of strict social control.
Isolated cases and media examples
Beyond the statistics, certain cases attract media attention and fuel public debate. Landmark trials or individuals imprisoned in sensitive contexts have generated international controversies, such as the sale of luxury goods linked to a businesswoman imprisoned in Vietnam, a phenomenon that demonstrates the complexity of criminal and media situations (Southeast Asia — Birkin in Vietnam).
More serious cases, linked to terrorism or attacks, sometimes lead to trials described as “revolutionary” by observers, revealing tensions between security and fundamental legal principles (Southeast Asia — trial and attack).
The stakes for democracy and human rights
For the defenders ofabolitionThe death penalty raises a question of values Can the State legitimately take a life in the name of justice? Beyond the moral debate, there are practical issues: irreparable miscarriages of justice, risks of political manipulation, and contradiction with international commitments to human rights.
The mobilization against the death penalty therefore takes the form of diplomatic actions, appeals from NGOs, and public debates. In France, individuals and institutions continue to work to maintain theabolition as an irreversible norm, while confronting public opinion with the realities of the consequences and penal alternatives.
Role of international actors
Civil society organizations and abolitionist states are seeking to coordinate their actions to put pressure on countries that still carry out executions. The arguments focus on empirical data, international law, and the societal impact of executions. The debates remain heated and demonstrate that the the question of the death penalty is not only legal, but profoundly political and cultural.
Frequently Asked Questions — Reinstatement of the death penalty and public reactions
Q: What happened at the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris?
A: On the occasion of the 9th World Congress organized in Paris, the President of the Republic warned against bringing the debate on the reinstatement of the death penalty, recalling that the issue remains relevant and is likely to resurface in democratic societies.
Q: Why did Emmanuel Macron raise the alarm about this debate now?
A: The head of state observed that, despite the abolition voted 45 years ago, calls for the return of the death penalty regularly resurface, particularly after serious crimes. He emphasized that these renewed debates pose a risk to democratic values and established legal principles.
Q: What events have reignited the debate in France in recent months?
A: High-profile criminal cases, such as the murder of Lyhanna and the death of young Louis in Narbonne, have aroused strong emotion and revived publicly expressed calls for harsher punishment that could include the reintroduction of the death penalty for certain crimes.
Q: What do the polls say about French public opinion?
A: A poll conducted in mid-June for several media outlets shows that a majority of the population is in favor of holding a referendum relating to the reinstatement of the death penalty for crimes against children, indicating a significant social sensitivity on this issue.
Q: Did the president mention the effectiveness of the death penalty as a means of prevention?
A: Yes. The president recalled that the death penalty has not demonstrated a reliable deterrent effect and has not made societies safer where it has been applied, highlighting studies and observations that question its preventive value.
Q: What is the global situation regarding the death penalty?
A: While more than a hundred states have definitively abolished the death penalty, some regions are experiencing a resurgence of executions, sometimes used as an instrument of political repression or social control. Some states continue to apply the death penalty in significant numbers.
Q: What recent data exists on executions worldwide?
A: NGO reports have indicated a marked increase in executions in 2025, with several thousand executions recorded in fewer than twenty countries — an increase of more than 70% compared to the previous year — with the actual figures potentially being higher due to the lack of transparency in some regimes.
Q: Which countries are regularly cited as carrying out the most executions?
A: Reports published by human rights organizations mention China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq among the states carrying out the most executions, although some estimates exclude figures that are difficult to access.
Q: Why is the issue of the death penalty described as a “contemporary battle”?
A: Because, far from being a definitive achievement, abolition can be challenged by contexts of social anxiety, populist demands, or security crises. Those who advocate for abolition believe that preserving this principle remains a major challenge for modern democracies.
Q: What arguments are put forward against the reinstatement of the death penalty?
A: Opponents insist on the lack of robust evidence of a deterrent effectivenessThey also highlighted the risk of irreversible miscarriages of justice and the fact that it is sometimes used for political purposes. They further emphasized the importance of preserving fundamental rights and the principles of justice.