The Death Penalty in the OSCE Area–Background Paper 2021 victims’ family members to speak to prosecutors, judges and lawyers, as well as to the public.69 2.2. The role of religious groups Considering the importance of different actors working together on the national level, it is worth noting also the influence of religious groups in some abolition processes. A number of observers interviewed for the background paper have highlighted the importance of work with religious communities in the context of death penalty abolition, and discourse framing the death penalty as a social justice issue rather than solely a matter of punishment.70 In Mongolia, for example, a series of videos about the death penalty was made by an international NGO which included interviews with a lama (spiritual leader) of the Buddhist temple and a meditation teacher. The video was displayed for the public, students and lawyers.71 Virginia’s religious community seems to have played a crucial role in the early abolition movement and the involvement of the Pope asking for clemency for Joseph O’Dell in 1996 reportedly encouraged domestic Catholic organizations to get involved in abolition work.72 In subsequent years, religious leaders publicly opposed capital punishment and local religious leaders led execution vigils at sites across Virginia, and their faith communities funded abolition work.73 People from many faith denominations joined efforts, led by Black Baptist faith leaders, and spoke passionately about the connection between the death penalty and Virginia’s history of lynching and racism.74 A number of church organizations in Virginia communicated moral and ethical concerns around the death penalty. 69 Written comments from Amarzaya Galsanlkhagva and Altantuya Batdorj, op. cit., note 30. 70 Interview with Mark Warren, op. cit., note 46. 71 Written comments from Amarzaya Galsanlkhagva and Altantuya Batdorj, op. cit., note 30. 72 Interview with Mark Warren, op. cit., note 46; also see: The New York Times, Vatican Pressing Its Plea For Death Row Inmate, 15 December 1996. 73 Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Statement at Death Penalty Abolition Bill Signing Ceremony, 24 March 2021. The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) advocacy campaign included five prayer vigils at historic lynching sites across Virginia, clergy and community petition drives, two Zoom press conferences with faith leaders and prosecutors who opposed the death penalty, and statewide and national media outreach. 74 Virginia Interfaith Center, Black Pastors Help Win the Fight to Abolish the Death Penalty in Virginia. 23