Human rights groups have entered last minute pleas to the Iran to halt the imminent execution of a Kurdish man sentenced to death for "enmity against God" in connection with his alleged membership of an opposition group.

In the aftermath of the World Day Against the Death Penalty on 10 October, Amnesty International has highlighted several cases of people facing execution - including one in the USA being distorted by religious fundamentalism.

It is disappointing, says Savi Hensman, that so many people who are passionate about the assisted dying debate (whether for or against legalisation) do not seem nearly as concerned to tackle violations of dignity which can be prevented at present.

Church leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo are urging the government of the central African nation to rescind death sentences pronounced on two Norwegians

In a landmark ruling from the House of Lords, the final appeal court in the UK, a woman with multiple sclerosis has won her court battle to have the law on assisted dying clarified.

High levels of neglect and poor quality care in UK mental health wards have been revealed in an official report published today. 39% of suicides by hanging were undertaken by patients who were supposed to be under close observation.

The president of the Methodist Conference has joined public figures from around the world in lighting a candle for Rwanda on camera, to highlight the consequences of the genocide there.

English fantasy novelist Terry Pratchett has said he believes it is ethical to allow people to be able to choose to have assisted death "when medicine cannot do any more". Others disagree.

California is to resume executions after a three-year hiatus. Campaigners have responded to the proposed lethal injection regulations with a series of concerns placing a strong focus on religious and spiritual freedoms.

Civil society and faith groups campaigning on HIV and AIDS have urged United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to step up efforts to combat discrimination and criminalisation that prevent access to infomation and services.

A number of Kenyan church leaders are urging their government to move swiftly to save the lives of citizens of the east African country who have been sentenced to death in China. Five are currently on death row awaiting execution.

Lutheran leaders in the United States have joined other church chiefs in condemning the killing of abortion doctor George Tiller in the lobby of Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas, where he served and worshipped.

Amid pressure from both sides, the governor of Texas has blocked part of a bill which would have prevented the death penalty being used for a particular category of people convicted under a provision called the Law of Parties.