United Kingdom
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- constitutional monarchy
- CONSTITUTION
- unwritten, partly common law, partly customs and statutes
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on common law traditions with some influences from the modern Roman and continental system, acts of Parliament are not reviewed by the judiciary
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, House of Commons and House of Lords
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- House of Lords (is the highest court of appeal) some Lords are appointed for life by the Queen
RELIGIONS
Christians 59.5%, Muslims 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, others 2%, unspecified 7.2%, none 25.7%
From the country
- MARCH 8, 2006United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
THE BAHAMAS. MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY BANNED
the mandatory death penalty in the Bahamas was abolished by five British law lords when they held it to be a breach of international human rights.
- MARCH 4, 2006IranDEATH PENALTY
UNITED KINGDOM. 60 PARLIAMENTARIANS CONDEMN EXECUTION OF POLITICAL PRISONERS IN IRAN
following the execution of political prisoner Hojjat Zamani in Gohardasht prison and the threat of a widespread mass execution of political prisoners in Iran, Lord Corbett of Castle Vale initiated a joint statement condemning gross violations of human rig
- JANUARY 18, 2006United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
UNITED KINGDOM. BRITAIN THANKS THAI POLICE BUT OPPOSES DEATH FOR TOURIST'S KILLERS
Britain's Foreign Office thanked the Thai authorities for finding the two fishermen who raped and murdered a British student, but insisted it opposed their death sentence
- JANUARY 16, 2006United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
UNITED KINGDOM. DON’T EXECUTE MY DAUGHTERS KILLERS, MOTHER OF BRITISH BACKPACKER
Wichai Somkhaoyai, and Bualoi Posit, the two Thai fisherman who raped and murdered British backpacker Katherine Horton should be spared the death penalty but locked up for life, the victim's mother said.
- JANUARY 11, 2006United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
UNITED KINGDOM. BATTLE CONTINUES TO SAVE DEATH PENALTY BRITON
Karen Torley, the fiancée of British national Kenny Richey who faced the death penalty in the US state of Ohio, said campaigners would have to wait at least 18 months before there was any chance of his release.
- JANUARY 1, 2006United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
The United Kingdom abolished the death penalty for murder on December 18...
The United Kingdom abolished the death penalty for murder on December 18...
- DECEMBER 14, 2005United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
UNITED KINGDOM. BLAIR CONDEMNS DEATH PENALTY
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he "strongly" opposed the death penalty but warned it was wrong to equate the human rights situtation in the US with that in countries such as China simply on the grounds of the number of executions carried out.
- NOVEMBER 29, 2005United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
the Supreme Court threw out a decision that erased...
the Supreme Court threw out a decision that erased the conviction and death sentence of a U.S.-British citizen in a fatal fire.
- OCTOBER 24, 2005United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
UNITED KINGDOM. BRITISH GOVERNMENT RECONSIDERS 1916 EXECUTION
the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to consider new submissions in a case brought by the family of Private Harry Farr, a First World War British soldier who was shot at dawn for cowardice, a judge ruled.
- OCTOBER 18, 2005LibyaDEATH PENALTY
UNITED KINGDOM. UK STRIKES DEAL TO EXPEL LIBYAN TERRORISM SUSPECTS
Britain signed a preliminary agreement with Libya that would allow it to deport Libyan nationals who were suspected of links to terrorism. The move was one of a number of measures to crack down on individuals who encouraged or condoned acts of violence or
- OCTOBER 11, 2005United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
UNITED KINGDOM. HUMAN RIGHTS PLEDGE FOR EXTRADITION PRISONERS
Home Office Minister Andy Burnham said suspects being extradited from Britain under new fast-track proceedings would remain absolutely protected from the death penalty or torture. He told the BBC that the UK government would not permit anyone it had surre
- OCTOBER 10, 2005United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
EUROPEAN UNION. STATEMENT BY THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ON BEHALF OF THE EU ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD DAY AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
the UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, speaking as Presidency on behalf of the EU, issued the following statement to mark the World Day against the Death Penalty.