The Death Penalty in the OSCE Area–Background Paper 2021 as a type of punishment and the challenge of total abolition of the death penalty in Kazakhstan.57 In Mongolia, too, a non-governmental organization was consistently described as influential in their campaign for abolition. The organization hosted art exhibitions, film discussions, gave talks to law students, went on speaking tours with American victim family members who opposed capital punishment and met legislators, among many other activities to try and shift public opinion.58 In this context, collaboration with other (national) CSOs and state institutions, including the Human Rights Commission of Mongolia, was important. In 2005–6, in co-operation with the Law University, it conducted research on the death penalty in Mongolia and their human rights education library proved to be the only source for students to learn about the death penalty.59 They also raised awareness through media coverage, including newspaper articles, interviews, talk shows, and TV debates.60 This same organization was involved in sending letters to MPs and the President urging for the adoption of the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR. 2.1. The role of victims’ families A key narrative often used to oppose abolition is the claim that the death of the perpetrator of a crime is (an integral) part of providing justice to victims’ families. Contrary to this entrenched perception, groups and platforms of family members of victims have formed who are very vocal and active in advocacy against the death penalty. This has proven particularly influential in abolitionist movements in three ways. The active participation in matters directly affecting them empowers the victims’ family members themselves. It raises awareness about the detrimental human impact of the death penalty, often invoked on their behalf. It also helps change legislator and public opinion about various commonly held myths regarding criminal justice systems applying the death penalty. Advocacy by victims’ families has been consistently described by observers as a significant aspect in the context of death penalty abolition in Virginia. As early as 1976, an organization was founded led by family members of murder victims and the executed 57 Dinara Dildabekova, Next stage: will the death penalty remain in Kazakhstan’s new criminal code?, Penal Reform International, 20 November 2013. 58 This is referring to Amnesty International Mongolia, noted in: Amarzaya Galsanlkhagva, op. cit., note 27. 59 Written comments from Amarzaya Galsanlkhagva and Altantuya Batdorj, op. cit., note 30. 60 Ibid. 21