Latvia
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 · President Guntis Ulmanis imposed a moratorium on the...
- News items in the archive
- 46
Source: Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026.
Latvia 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 46 news items on Latvia, from 1999 to today.
Latest news
- JANUARY 1, 2020LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
- JANUARY 1, 2019LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
- JANUARY 1, 2018LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
- JANUARY 1, 2017LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
- JANUARY 1, 2016LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
- JANUARY 1, 2015LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
- JANUARY 1, 2014LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
- JANUARY 1, 2013LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
- JANUARY 1, 2012LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
- JANUARY 1, 2011LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
- JANUARY 1, 2010LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
- JANUARY 1, 2009LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
- JANUARY 1, 2008LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
- DECEMBER 18, 2007LatviaDEATH PENALTY
Latvia voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium...
Latvia voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium...
- JANUARY 1, 2007LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
- JANUARY 1, 2006LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
- APRIL 20, 2005LatviaDEATH PENALTY
Latvia was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty at the 61st UN Commission on Human Rights.
Latvia was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty at the 61st UN Commission on Human Rights.
- JANUARY 1, 2005LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
- JULY 1, 2004LatviaDEATH 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
- APRIL 21, 2004LatviaDEATH PENALTY
Latvia was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death...
Latvia was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty at the 60th UN Commission on Human Rights
- APRIL 8, 2004LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
- APRIL 24, 2003LatviaDEATH PENALTY
Latvia was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death...
Latvia was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty approved by the UN Commission on Human Rights, in Geneva
- JANUARY 1, 2003LatviaDEATH PENALTY
The Criminal Law of Latvia envisages the death penalty...
The Criminal Law of Latvia envisages the death penalty for murder in especially aggravating circumstances, committed in wartime
- JANUARY 1, 2003LatviaDEATH PENALTY
Latvia has signed but not yet ratified Protocol No...
Latvia has signed but not yet ratified Protocol No 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights banning the death penalty in all circumstances
- JANUARY 1, 2003LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the...
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime
- JANUARY 1, 2003LatviaDEATH PENALTY
President Guntis Ulmanis imposed a moratorium on executions...
President Guntis Ulmanis imposed a moratorium on executions in September 1996
- JANUARY 1, 2003LatviaDEATH PENALTY
The last execution was carried out in January 1996
The last execution was carried out in January 1996
- MAY 11, 2002LatviaDEATH PENALTY
Serial killer Yuri Ustimenko, was caught in Poland...
Serial killer Yuri Ustimenko, was caught in Poland earlier the week
- MAY 3, 2002LatviaDEATH PENALTY
Latvia signed Protocol 13 to the European Convention...
Latvia signed Protocol 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights, which ensures the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances
- FEBRUARY 21, 2002LatviaDEATH PENALTY
Latvia's Saeima [Unicameral Parliament] turned over...
Latvia's Saeima [Unicameral Parliament] turned over draft amendments to several laws that are to be harmonized with the international protocol aimed at the abolition of the death penalty to parliamentary commissions