France
Death penalty and prisoners' rights · Archive since 1999
Data card
- Legal status
- Abolitionist
- Executions recorded in 2026
- 0
- Executions recorded in 2025
- 0
- First news item in the archive
- JANUARY 1, 1999 · France has been abolitionist since 1981
- News items in the archive
- 161
Source: Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026.
France is classified as Abolitionist in the Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026. In 2026 the association recorded 0 executions in the country, against 0 the year before. The archive holds 161 news items on France, from 1999 to today.
Latest news
- MARCH 21, 2005FranceDEATH PENALTY
USA. GOVERNMENT URGES JUDGE TO SET DATE FOR MOUSSAOUI TRIAL
the US government asked a federal judge to set an October start date for the much-delayed trial of accused September 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui.
- FEBRUARY 6, 2005FranceDEATH PENALTY
the Paris Prefecture has cancelled permits for a demonstration for democracy
the Paris Prefecture has cancelled permits for a demonstration for democracy
- FEBRUARY 4, 2005FranceDEATH PENALTY
Amnesty International asked Uganda to drop the death penalty.
Amnesty International asked Uganda to drop the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2005FranceDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9, 1981, mainly through the efforts of then Socialist Justice Minister, Robert Badinter.
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9, 1981, mainly through the efforts of then Socialist Justice Minister, Robert Badinter.
- NOVEMBER 27, 2004BulgariaDEATH PENALTY
French President Jacques Chirac spoke out on behalf of...
French President Jacques Chirac spoke out on behalf of...
- NOVEMBER 27, 2004FranceDEATH PENALTY
French Communist Party leader Marie-George Buffet called for the release of Tibetan monk
French Communist Party leader Marie-George Buffet called for the release of Tibetan monk
- JULY 1, 2004FranceDEATH PENALTY
Baghdad's decision to re-establish the death penalty...
Baghdad's decision to re-establish the death penalty ahead of the war crimes trial of Saddam Hussein evoked a mixed reaction in Europe, recalling the split across the continent over the war that toppled the Iraqi leader
- JUNE 30, 2004FranceDEATH PENALTY
France reiterated its opposition to death penalty "under...
France reiterated its opposition to death penalty "under any circumstances" and called for the trial for Iraqi former president Saddam Hussein to be in compliance with the international law
- MAY 3, 2004FranceDEATH PENALTY
On April 8, a bill was very discreetly proposed for...
On April 8, a bill was very discreetly proposed for the reintroduction of the death penalty for those guilty of committing "terrorist acts"
- APRIL 21, 2004FranceDEATH PENALTY
France was a cosponsor and voted in favour of the resolution...
France was a cosponsor and voted in favour of the resolution on the death penalty at the 60th UN Commission on Human Rights
- APRIL 9, 2004FranceDEATH PENALTY
Assured that accused murderer Paul Eduardovich Goldman...
Assured that accused murderer Paul Eduardovich Goldman would not face the death penalty in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a French court agreed to extradite him to the United States
- APRIL 7, 2004FranceDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9, 1981, mainly through the efforts of then Socialist Justice Minister, Robert Badinter.
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9, 1981, mainly through the efforts of then Socialist Justice Minister, Robert Badinter.
- JANUARY 27, 2004FranceDEATH PENALTY
Dozens of French MPs led a protest against human rights...
Dozens of French MPs led a protest against human rights in China by boycotting the Chinese president's address to the French parliament
- SEPTEMBER 24, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
Saw the commencement in Paris of the European tour...
Saw the commencement in Paris of the European tour conducted by former Governor of Illinois George Ryan and Leroy Orange, the ex death row inmate he pardoned
- SEPTEMBER 18, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
A Moroccan court on sentenced Frenchman Pierre Robert...
A Moroccan court on sentenced Frenchman Pierre Robert to life imprisonment under anti-terrorism legislation introduced following suicide bombings by Islamist extremists in Casablanca in May 2003
- JULY 14, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
In a declaration announced by Ensemble Contre La Peine...
In a declaration announced by Ensemble Contre La Peine De Mort, the French organisation said amongst other things: "A moratorium means less executions and death sentences on the decrease
- JUNE 30, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
A French humanitarian group said it was opposed to...
A French humanitarian group said it was opposed to the death sentences passed on Pakistani extremists for the murder of French nationals, even though some of its members had personal links with the victims
- JUNE 23, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
Iran insisted that it wanted France to extradite members...
Iran insisted that it wanted France to extradite members of an armed opposition group arrested in a major roundup of the exile organisation
- APRIL 24, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
France was a cosponsor and voted in favour of the resolution...
France was a cosponsor and voted in favour of the resolution on the death penalty approved by the UN Commission on Human Rights, in Geneva
- JANUARY 24, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
Indian Deputy Prime Minister L
Indian Deputy Prime Minister L
- JANUARY 1, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
France has been totally abolitionist since 1981
France has been totally abolitionist since 1981
- JANUARY 1, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
France has signed but not yet ratified Protocol No...
France has signed but not yet ratified Protocol No 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms banning the death penalty in all circumstances
- JANUARY 1, 2003FranceDEATH PENALTY
The last public execution by guillotine was carried...
The last public execution by guillotine was carried out on June 17, 1939
- NOVEMBER 7, 2002FranceDEATH PENALTY
Sylvie Teller, who was to go as Miss France, said:...
Sylvie Teller, who was to go as Miss France, said: "When a woman faces the most agonising death, there are more important things in life than winning a crown for being beautiful
- NOVEMBER 5, 2002FranceDEATH PENALTY
Harlem Desir, French member of the European Parliament's...
Harlem Desir, French member of the European Parliament's Socialist Group, expressed concern that envisaging the extradition of Mr Akhmed Zakaiev, who was arrested at Russia's request when representing the Chechen President Mashkadov at the World Congress
- SEPTEMBER 12, 2002FranceDEATH PENALTY
Former Central African President Andre Kolingba, sentenced...
Former Central African President Andre Kolingba, sentenced to death [on August 26] for leading a coup against the country's president, has relocated from Kampala to Paris, France
- AUGUST 5, 2002FranceDEATH PENALTY
France hailed the ground-breaking reforms adopted by...
France hailed the ground-breaking reforms adopted by Turkey's parliament on August 3, including the abolition of the death penalty
- AUGUST 5, 2002FranceDEATH PENALTY
France hailed the ground-breaking reforms adopted by...
France hailed the ground-breaking reforms adopted by Turkey's parliament on August 3, including the abolition of the death penalty
- JUNE 5, 2002FranceDEATH PENALTY
An alleged anti-abortion killer was deported from France...
An alleged anti-abortion killer was deported from France to the US to face trial for murder
- MAY 3, 2002FranceDEATH PENALTY
France signed Protocol 13 to the European Convention...
France signed Protocol 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights, which ensures the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances