The Death Penalty in the OSCE Area–Background Paper 2017 According to available studies, death penalty disproportionately affects the poor and people belonging to ethnic, racial and religious minorities. Children whose parents have been sentenced to death may thus face multiple discriminations. Indeed, the protection of the rights of the child enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is a very distant dream for these children: their best interest is not duly taken into account and protected (art. 3); their right to freedom from violence is not safeguarded (art. 19); their right to special protection and assistance when state action causes a child to be deprived of his or her family environment fails to be given due attention (art. 20); and the right to an adequate standard of living for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development is not fulfilled either (art. 27(1)). In brief, these children have truly been left behind. The loss of a parent is traumatic and irreversible in any circumstance. But, unlike a natural death, when it is officially performed by the authorities of a country it becomes particularly confusing and frightening for a child. Children find it hard to understand and explain their situation, and are increasingly tempted to deny it and hide their feelings. These children need adequate support and accurate information about the situation of their parent on an on-going basis and in an age-sensitive way. Experience shows that family and peer support, as well as assistance by community-based and civil society organizations can be effective and appropriate in many of these situations. Children whose parents are facing the death penalty may feel anger and a deep sense of uncertainty. The process from trial to imprisonment, with multiple stages and appeals is exhausting, both for those convicted and their children. These children experience high levels of stress and anxiety as executions are announced, delayed and appealed. Traumatized and with low self-esteem, they can suffer from constant nightmares or loss of sleep, and eating disorders; they can lose concentration and interest in school, as well as willingness to play. Some of them feel pressed to become economically active because the family breadwinner is in prison or has been executed. Post-traumatic stress disorder, aggressive behavior and self-harm often go hand in hand. Overall, children often endure this experience in deep loneliness and hopelessness. In these desperate situations, adults of the family may need to use their energy and resources to prevent the execution and the child may not receive the support that he or she will need. Unresolved grief and trauma can make it hard for these children to become good parents later in life. Thus, death penalty ends up having an intergenerational impact. While data are limited, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) homicide statistics show that 40 to 70 per cent of homicides of women are perpetrated by an intimate partner or family member. This points toward a significant number of children being affected as a result of these crimes and convictions. Where the 7