[JURIST] The Council of Europe [official website], Europe's top human rights organization, Monday called [press release] for the United States and Japan to set an example for other countries by abolishing capital punishment. COE Secretary General Terry Davis [official profile] used World Day Against the Death Penalty [overview] to press the two countries and Russia [AP report] to put an end to the death penalty [JURIST news archive]. Within the 46 member states of the Council of Europe, there has not been an execution since 1997 and Davis seeks to extend this "death penalty-free" zone outside of continental Europe. The UK Press Association has more.