[3] ICDP is an independent body composed of Commissioners of high standing who have experience in international law and human rights, and are committed to achieving the universal abolition of capital punishment.
Their experience, background, geographical representation and personal involvement in abolishing the death penalty enables them to engage with senior officials from different countries.
They are united in opposing capital punishment in all circumstances, and urge for the immediate establishment of a universal moratorium[3] on executions as a step towards total abolition of the death penalty.
[8][11] ICDP conducts country missions (California and Delaware in the US, Japan, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tunisia and Lebanon, among others) and engage dialogue with different stakeholders[11][12] working on the abolition, such as NGOs, government representatives, and members of parliament.
For example, Commissioner Ruth Dreifuss visited Tajikistan in 2011 and 2013 "to advocate for full abolition of the death penalty in the national law".