Advocating for Justice: Ending the Death Penalty to Uphold Human Dignity
At First Rights Global, we believe in the inherent value and dignity of every human life. As an organization dedicated to securing the human rights to life and liberty for all, we stand firmly against the death penalty. The state-sanctioned taking of life is not only a violation of the right to life but also perpetuates cycles of violence and injustice, undermining the very principles of fairness, equality, and human dignity that justice systems are meant to uphold.
On March 7, 2025, the State of South Carolina executed 67 year-old Brad Sigmon by firing squad. The day before, FRG President & CEO Catherine Glenn Foster spoke at a press conference in front of the Governor’s Office calling for an end to the death penalty.
The Rev. Hillary Taylor talks with FRG President & CEO Catherine Glenn Foster about her friendship with Death Row inmate Brad Sigmon and the life change he experienced on Death Row.
Our opposition to the death penalty is rooted in both principle and evidence. From a principled standpoint, we hold that no legal system is infallible, and the risk of executing an innocent person is an unacceptable moral hazard.
These Men Are Fighting to Abolish the Death Penalty—From Death Row
Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty is the nation’s only anti–death penalty organization run by death-row prisoners.
Furthermore, the death penalty is frequently applied in ways that disproportionately target marginalized communities, including racial minorities, individuals with limited economic resources, and those with inadequate legal representation. This inequitable application reflects broader systemic injustices and reinforces patterns of oppression.
Evidence further supports our position. Studies consistently show that the death penalty fails to serve as a meaningful deterrent to crime, rendering it an ineffective solution to the issues it seeks to address. Instead of fostering public safety, the death penalty drains resources from systems that could more effectively prevent crime, such as education, mental health care, and community development initiatives.
First Rights Global in the News
SC Daily Gazette: With SC’s death penalty, how much does ‘truth’ matter?
SC Daily Gazette: Clemency for Richard Moore reflects true justice and humanity
Additionally, the death penalty’s irreversible nature closes the door to rehabilitation and redemption, denying individuals the opportunity to reflect on their actions, make amends, or contribute positively to society. It contradicts the belief in the possibility of human growth and transformation, which lies at the heart of justice and humanity.
John Henry Ramirez, who was executed by the State of Texas on October 4, 2022, won a legal fight to have his pastor beside him at his execution.
First Rights Global envisions a justice system that upholds the sanctity of life, fosters equity, and works toward restorative solutions rather than retributive punishments. Our advocacy against the death penalty is part of a broader commitment to ending all forms of oppression and securing human rights for all.
We aim to empower lawmakers, leaders, and communities with research, model legislation, and educational tools to build a world where justice and compassion prevail. Together, we can move toward a future in which human rights are universally upheld and every person is treated with the dignity they deserve.
Death Penalty Campaigns & Initiatives
End the Death Penalty
State-sanctioned execution violates the right to life, perpetuates injustice, and undermines fairness, equality, and human dignity.