On 26 September 2007, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided to declare a ''European Day against the Death Penalty'', to be held annually on 10 October. The Council of Europe has been a pioneer in the abolition process which has made Europe a de facto death-penalty-free zone since 1997.

The Day is a European contribution to the World Day against the Death Penalty, which is held on the same day. On this occasion, the Council of Europe’s Secretary General and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issue a joint statement recalling their firm opposition to capital punishment.