---
title: 'Publications & Testimony'
description: 'For testimony by former Executive Director Robert Dunham and former Executive Director Richard C. Dieter, please visit our page DPIC Testimony.'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/resources/publications-and-testimony'
section: publicationsTestimonyLanding
date: '2017-11-15T21:31:52-05:00'
updated: '2026-05-20T13:37:47-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

#### Testimony and Statements on the Death Penalty

**FROM DPIC**

For testimony by former Executive Director Robert Dunham and former Executive Director Richard C. Dieter, please visit our page [DPIC Testimony](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/about/dpic-testimony).

**FROM RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS**

- [News Brief: Pope Francis Calls for Prayer to Abolish the Death Penalty](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news-brief/news-brief-pope-francis-calls-for-prayer-to-abolish-the-death-penalty) (September 1, 2022)
- [Jewish Congregation Renews Request for Department of Justice to Drop Death Penalty in Tree of Life Synagogue Killings ](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/jewish-congregation-renews-request-for-department-of-justice-to-drop-death-penalty-in-tree-of-life-synagogue-killings)(June 24, 2021)
- [Orthodox Church Patriarch Calls Death Penalty Incompatible with Christian Beliefs](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/orthodox-church-patriarch-calls-death-penalty-incompatible-with-christian-beliefs) (October 20, 2020)
- [Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - Statement on the Federal Death Penalty](https://www.presbyterianmission.org/opw/2019/08/05/statement-on-the-federal-death-penalty/) (August 5, 2019)
- [Louisiana Christian Faith Leaders Call for State to Abolish Death Penalty](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/louisiana-christian-faith-leaders-call-for-state-to-abolish-death-penalty) (April 25, 2019)
- [Pittsburgh Rabbi's Wife Opposes Death Penalty for Tree of Life Synagogue Killings](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/pittsburgh-rabbis-wife-opposes-death-penalty-for-tree-of-life-synagogue-killings) (March 18, 2019)
- [Orthodox Jewish Organization Calls for an End to Capital Punishment in the U.S. | Death Penalty Information Center](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/orthodox-jewish-organization-calls-for-an-end-to-capital-punishment-in-the-u-s) (February 17, 2016)
- [Baptist Theologian Says Death Penalty Does Not Fit With Christian Theology](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/baptist-theologian-says-death-penalty-does-not-fit-with-christian-theology) (March 8, 2016)
- [Civil and Human Rights: Death Penalty — Church & Society, The United Methodist Church](https://www.umcjustice.org/what-we-care-about/civil-and-human-rights/death-penalty)
- [Religious Views: Over 150 Catholic Theologians Call for Repeal of the Death Penalty](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/religious-views-over-150-catholic-theologians-call-for-repeal-of-the-death-penalty) (September 27, 2011)
- [Power Over Life and Death - The Power to Save a Life](https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/openforum/article/Power-Over-Life-and-Death-The-power-to-save-a-2705610.php) (January 15, 2005)
- [Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice](http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/criminal-justice-restorative-justice/crime-and-criminal-justice.cfm) (November 2000)
- [The Challenge of Holiness: A Sermon on the Death Penalty](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/the-challenge-of-holiness-a-sermon-on-the-death-penalty) (January 10, 2000)
- [General Assembly of the Texas Conference of Churches - Resolution Opposing the Death Penalty](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/general-assembly-of-the-texas-conference-of-churches-resolution-opposing-the-death-penalty) (February 24, 1998)
- [Statement by Catholic Bishops of Texas on Capital Punishment](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/statement-by-catholic-bishops-of-texas-on-capital-punishment) (October 20, 1997)
- [Catholic Church Expresses Strong Opposition to Capital Punishment in Catechism](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/catholic-church-expresses-strong-opposition-to-capital-punishment-in-catechism) (September 9, 1997)
- [Catholic Bishops of Iowa Issue Statement on Death Penalty](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/catholic-bishops-of-iowa-issue-statement-on-death-penalty) (February 4, 1998)
- [To End the Death Penalty: A Report of the National Jewish/Catholic Consultation](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/to-end-the-death-penalty-a-report-of-the-national-jewish-catholic-consultation)
- [Transcript of Dr. Pat Robertson’s Speech on the Role of Religion and the Death Penalty at The College of William and Mary](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/files/pdf/PRobertsonWMSpeech.pdf)
- [Collection of Official Catholic Statements on the Death Penalty](http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/death-penalty-capital-punishment/statement-on-capital-punishment.cfm) (1980)

**FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY**

- [UN experts call for universal abolition of the death penalty | OHCHR](https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/10/un-experts-call-universal-abolition-death-penalty) (October 9, 2023)
- [Zambia Becomes 25th Sub-Saharan African Nation to Abolish Death Penalty](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/zambia-becomes-25th-sub-saharan-african-nation-to-abolish-death-penalty) (December 23, 2022)
- [Belgium Wants a World Without the Death Penalty](https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/policy/policy-areas/highlighted/belgium-wants-world-without-death-penalty) (October 20, 2022)
- [As France Prepares to Assume Presidency of European Union, Emmanuel Macron Announces Initiative for Worldwide Abolition of Death Penalty](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/as-france-prepares-to-assume-presidency-of-european-union-emmanuel-macron-announces-initiative-for-worldwide-abolition-of-death-penalty) (October 11, 2021)
- [U.N. Secretary-General, European Union Ambassador Call for Abolition of "Barbaric" Death Penalty](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/u-n-secretary-general-european-union-ambassador-call-for-abolition-of-barbaric-death-penalty) (October 11, 2017)
- [European Union Calls for Abolition of Capital Punishment as World Coalition Hosts International Death Penalty Conference](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/european-union-calls-for-abolition-of-capital-punishment-as-world-coalition-hosts-international-death-penalty-conference) (June 27, 2017)
- [U.N. Investigator Talks About the Future of Solitary and the Death Penalty](https://www.aclu.org/news/human-rights/un-investigator-talks-about-future-solitary-and) (November 7, 2016)
- [World Congress Against the Death Penalty Renews Call for Global Moratorium, Pope Sends Message of Support ](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/world-congress-against-the-death-penalty-renews-call-for-global-moratorium-pope-sends-message-of-support)(June 27, 2016)
- [Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the 400th execution in Texas from the Council of the European Union](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/declaration-by-the-presidency-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-400th-execution-in-texas-from-the-council-of-the-european-union) (August 21, 2007)
- [Resolution Supporting Worldwide Moratorium on Executions from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/resolution-supporting-worldwide-moratorium-on-executions-from-the-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights) (April 1999)
- [Mary Robinson, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights - Message to the Press Conference organized by the Death Penalty Information Center for the release of the report, “International Perspectives on the Death Penalty”](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/mary-robinson-u-n-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-message-to-the-press-conference-organized-by-the-death-penalty-information-center-for-the-release-of-the-report-international-perspectives-on-the-death-penalty) (October 12, 1999)
- [Status of the International Covenants on Human Rights from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/status-of-the-international-covenants-on-human-rights-from-the-united-nations-commission-on-human-rights) (April 1998)

**FROM ADVOCACY GROUPS**

- [Advocacy Group Tells Supreme Court that Negative Stereotypes Distort Perception that Latinos in Death-Penalty Cases Pose Future Danger to Society](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/advocacy-group-tells-supreme-court-that-negative-stereotypes-distort-perception-that-latinos-in-death-penalty-cases-pose-future-danger-to-society) (April 15, 2022)
- [Disability Rights Groups, Legal Experts, and Conservative Advocates Urge Supreme Court to Strike Down Georgia's Uniquely Harsh Proof Requirements in Death-Penalty Intellectual Disabilities Cases](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/disability-rights-groups-legal-experts-and-conservative-advocates-urge-supreme-court-to-strike-down-georgias-uniquely-harsh-proof-requirements-in-death-penalty-intellectual-disability-cases) (January 11, 2022)
- [NAACP Reaffirms Its Support of Abolishing the Death Penalty](https://naacp.org/resources/naacp-reaffirms-its-support-abolishing-death-penalty) (2022)
- [More Than 80 Civil Rights and Advocacy Organizations Urge President Biden to End Federal Executions | Death Penalty Information Center](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/more-than-80-civil-rights-and-advocacy-organizations-urge-president-biden-to-end-federal-executions) (February 9, 2021)
- [More Than 250 Conservative Leaders Join Call to End Death Penalty](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/more-than-250-conservative-leaders-join-call-to-end-death-penalty) (October 29, 2019)
- [National Alliance on Mental Illness: The Death Penalty](https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Policy-Priorities/Stopping-Harmful-Practices/Death-Penalty)
- [Florida League of Women Voters Calls for Halt to Executions](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/florida-league-of-women-voters-calls-for-halt-to-executions) (May 28, 2007)
- [Victims Organizations Issue Joint Statement for National Victims' Rights Week](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/victims-organizations-issue-joint-statement-for-national-victims-rights-week) (April 19, 2007)

**FROM JUDGES, LEGISLATORS, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS**

- [Republican-led Oklahoma committee considers pause on executions amid death case scrutiny](https://apnews.com/article/death-penalty-oklahoma-moratorium-wrongful-convictions-1ee3bf8d9e730cbf59bc4fdc46658b19) (October 5, 2023)
- [Former Pro-Death Penalty District Attorney Explains Why He Now Supports Abolition, and Fears Political Promises to Expand the Use of the Death Penalty](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/former-pro-death-penalty-district-attorney-explains-why-he-now-supports-abolition-and-fears-political-promises-to-expand-use-of-the-death-penalty) (August 20, 2023)
- [Pressley, Durbin Reintroduce Bill to End the Federal Death Penalty](https://pressley.house.gov/2023/07/13/pressley-durbin-reintroduce-bill-to-end-the-federal-death-penalty/#:~:text=The%20Federal%20Death%20Penalty%20Prohibition%20Act%20of%202023%20would%20end,previously%20sentenced%20to%20death%20row.) (July 13, 2023)
- [The Lancet Editorial: Physician Involvement in Executions Violates Medical Ethics | Death Penalty Information Center](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/the-lancet-editorial-physician-involvement-in-executions-violates-medical-ethics) (May 20, 2023)
- [APA calls for extending ineligibility for the death penalty to adolescent offenders younger than age 21](https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2022/08/limiting-death-penalty) (August 4, 2022)
- [Why some Republicans are turning against the death penalty | Ron Ferguson | Ohio House of Representatives](https://ohiohouse.gov/members/ron-ferguson/in-the-news/why-some-republicans-are-turning-against-the-death-penalty-2166) (March 8, 2022)
- [Eight years on Texas' highest criminal court turned Elsa Alcala into a death penalty skeptic. How will the court change without her?](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/new-voices-former-texas-criminal-appeals-judge-suggests-pause-on-texas-death-penalty) (January 26, 2019)
- [AMA to Supreme Court: Doctor participation in executions unethical](https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/ethics/ama-supreme-court-doctor-participation-executions-unethical) (August 22, 2018)
- [Former Governor Bill Richardson: Death Penalty Is Bad for Business, Out of Step With World's Views](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/former-governor-bill-richardson-death-penalty-is-bad-for-business-out-of-step-with-worlds-views) (June 16, 2017)
- [Capital Punishment and Nurses' Participation in Capital Punishment ](https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/official-position-statements/id/capital-punishment-and-nurse-participation-in-capital-punishment/)(2016)
- [Former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro Says Death Penalty Unfixable, "Not Worth It Any More"](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/new-voices-former-ohio-attorney-general-jim-petro-says-death-penalty-unfixable-not-worth-it-any-more) (September 12, 2016)
- [Resolution Supporting Repeal of the Death Penalty, National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (August 11, 2016)](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/resolution-supporting-repeal-of-the-death-penalty-national-hispanic-caucus-of-state-legislators-august-11-2016)
- [Retired Police Captain Says Repealing Death Penalty Is "Smart on Crime"](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/new-voices-retired-police-captain-says-repealing-death-penalty-is-smart-on-crime) (November 24, 2014)
- [Resolution Supporting Abolition of the Death Penalty, Natl. Assoc. of Black Psychologists](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/resolution-supporting-abolition-of-the-death-penalty-natl-assoc-of-black-psychologists) (2012)
- [The Road to Justice and Peace by New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/the-road-to-justice-and-peace-by-new-jersey-state-senator-raymond-lesniak) (February 1, 2009)
- [Statement On The Federal Death Penalty System by Senator Feingold](https://votesmart.org/public-statement/6602/us-senator-russ-feingold-on-the-federaldeath-penalty-abolition-act#.XNBAxpNKjOQ) (June 7, 2001)
- [Statement on the Need for a Federal Moratorium on the Death Penalty](https://votesmart.org/public-statement/6602/us-senator-russ-feingold-on-the-federaldeath-penalty-abolition-act#.XNBAxpNKjOQ) Senator Feingold (October 29, 2000)
- [Death Penalty: The Torah and Today](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/death-penalty-the-torah-and-today) (August 23, 2000)
- [Press Release](https://web.archive.org/web/20010716064349/http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/releases/00/04/2000426A53.html) [for Senator Russ Feingold’s Introduction of Senate’s First Death Penalty Moratorium Bill](https://web.archive.org/web/20010716064349/http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/releases/00/04/2000426A53.html) (April 20, 2000)
- [Amnesty International Southern Regional Conference: Orlando, Florida Remarks by Former Florida Chief Justice Gerald Kogan](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/amnesty-international-southern-regional-conference-orlando-florida-remarks-by-former-florida-chief-justice-gerald-kogan) (October 23, 1999)
- [American Bar Association Resolution on the Death Penalty](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/committees/death_penalty_representation/resources/dp-policy/moratorium-1997/) (February 3, 1997)

**FROM MURDER VICTIMS' FAMILY MEMBERS**

- [Victim's sister asks Texas not to execute her brother's killer](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/victims-sister-asks-texas-not-to-execute-her-brothers-killer-william-speer-gary-dickerson-sammie-martin/#:~:text=A%20sister%27s%20plea,that%20Speer%27s%20life%20be%20spared.) (October 26, 2023)
- [Family Members of Murder Victims Call on North Carolina, Nevada to Commute States' Death Rows](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/family-members-of-murder-victims-call-on-north-carolina-nevada-to-commute-states-death-rows) (January 26, 2023)