Cultural program

The World March for Abolition

The World March for Abolition, a real highlight of the World Congresses against the Death Penalty, traditionally completes this political and activist gathering. For the first time, ECPM is organising a night march that will illuminate the historic centre of Brussels with our conviction that justice must not kill!

Alongside important figures in the abolitionist movement, many of us are celebrating these four days of activism outside the walls and proudly wearing the colours of our commitment alongside the people of Brussels.

Portraits of Abolition – Christophe Meireis

Menuhin Space of the European Parliament

17 portraits of those who are doing the abolition. Former death row inmates, families, politicians… They discover each other, they whisper from the depths of their beings these words that pass through them.

The exhibition is accompanied by the presentation of the LXB Chair, by artist Wang Keping, in honour of Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiao Bo.

 

Bubbles for abolition

Gates of the Brussels Park, facing the Royal Palace

The citizens who must know that nothing is ever taken for granted. Debate over the restoration of the death penalty is likely to reappear in the event of the slightest tension. Young people, those who will make tomorrow‘s policies, have not necessarily experienced the horrors of the death penalty themselves.

Educational, sensitive and accessible to all, the exhibition «Comics for Abolition» presents a global selection of comic strips by famous illustrators whose stories, each in their own unique way, echo the main abolitionist arguments. Enter the world of each artist, access their vision and discover the abolitionist cause.

 

Who deserves to die, Sofia Moro

In partnership with the Spanish Embassy in Belgium and the University of Castilla – La Mancha

Who deserves to die is an in-depth and ongoing research project, developed over the past ten years, on the application of the death penalty in today’s world, combining photography and journalism. It takes the viewer through the deathpaths of five countries representing different types of political systems, cultures and development.

 

Draw me the abolition contest

Pupils from middle and high schools from across the world are invited to participate in the 4^th Draw Me the Abolition competition, to produce an anti-death penalty poster. The top 50 chosen by an international jury will be exhibited in the participating countries and at the 7^th World Congresses Against the Death Penalty. An exhibition catalogue will also be published to highlight the pupils’ work. 

Screening of Lindy Lou, Juror number 2  by Florent Vassault

Galerie de la Reine 26, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
In partnership with Cine UN – UNRIC
English, subtitles French

22 years after a death sentence, former juror Lindy Lou sets out to meet the other jurors to find out if they share her feelings of remorse. Will her redemption be achieved through this journey she is undertaking today across the Mississippi River, to compare her experience with those of the 11 other jurors with whom she sentenced a man to death?

Nyapala from Emile Carreau – 30’ – English subtitles French

Menunggu Massa from The S-Ploited, Freedom Film Network – 30 ‘ – English
Discussion: Malaysia on the road to abolition.

The Sinner from Asim Rafiqui, Justice Project Pakistan – 40’ – English
Discussion: Stories of former executioners.

It was 5 in the morning from Mostapha Heravi, Zamaneh Media – 35’ – Farsi subtitles English
Discussion: The death penalty in Iran, issues and current situation.

 

Guilty, Matthew Sleeth and Maggie Miles
82′ – Reprieve Australian – English

The documentary recounts the last days of Myuran Sukumaran, a criminal sentenced to death who became an artist. The cold preparation of Myuran’s final hours thus contrasts with his indomitable spirit that drives him to create his most intense paintings, shortly before being shot by an Indonesian firing squad.

The screening will be followed by a discussion in English: “How art leads to resilience”.

STAKEHOLDERS

• Maggie Miles (producer)
• Matthew Sleeth (director) (to be confirmed)
• Julian McMahon (President of Reprieve Australia)
• Ndume Olatushani (former death row inmate, United States)

Serge Atlaoui, Sentenced to death, Christine Tournadre
60′ – French with English subtitles

The life of Serge and Sabine Atlaoui changed in November 2005, with Serge’s arrest while on a maintenance mission in a factory in Jakarta. This one was used as a cover for ecstasy trafficking. A few months later, he was sentenced to death.

The screening will be followed by a discussion in French: “Serge Atlaoui, current situation and issues”.

STAKEHOLDERS

• Sabine Atlaoui (wife of Serge Atlaoui)
• Richard Sédillot (lawyer for Serge Atlaoui and ECPM spokesperson)

Library stand in the Abolition Village

• Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich for “Fact of a Body: A Gripping True Crime Murder Investigation” (Sonatine éditions)

• Antoinette Chahine for Crimes d’innocence (éd. Dar An-Nahar)

• Marie Gloris Bardiaux-Vaïente for La Guillotine (éd. Eidola) and L’Abolition. Le combat de Robert Badinter (éd. Glénat)

• Geneviève Donadini for Le Procès Ranucci. Témoignage d’un juré d’assises (éd. L’Harmattan)

Representation of Suzy & Franck by Didier Poiteaux – Inti Théâtre

Rue des Tanneurs 75-77, 1000 Brussels
Produced with the help of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles – Direction du théâtre and Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI)
French subtitles English

Suzy lives in Paris and Frank lives on death row in Texas. In 1996, by chance, they started a correspondence. Little by little, they discover each other, meet each other, fall in love and, later, to continue to see each other despite the restrictions imposed on Franck regarding his conditions of detention, they get married. Twenty years later, they still love each other but still do not live together.