Death Penalty: a new Transatlantic issue

A year or two ago, death penalty had nothing of a transatlantic issue. Europe and the US had different perspectives on the topic but it was not a matter of discussion.

And then, very rapidly, in a few months, generated by NGOs and publicized by various media, the death penalty question became a EU/US topic for discussion, generating a significant interest in the civil society fabric on both side of the Atlantic.

For once, it is not only a question of trade, defense or technology which attracts the attention of public opinions on the two sides of the Atlantic, but a debate related to very core notions of what defines a society and its values.

Why has death penalty suddenly surged as a transatlantic issue? What does it reflects in terms of EU and US public opinion 's evolution?

Who and what are the players and questions in this debate?

How does Internet play a role in the whole discussion?

By trying to bring some answers to these questions, we hope that this month 'TIES Spotlight' will contribute to this very active EU/US dialog generated at very grassroots levels of civil society and citizens.

1. Information sites

a/ general infomation on DP
b/ facts and stats
c/ methods
d/ pictures of the death row

2. Abolitionnist organizations

a/ organizations
b/ on-line petitions

3. Pro-death penalty organizations

4. Websites dedicated to people in death row/inmates

5. Legal Resources/Law

6. Recent editorials and papers

7. Discussion groups