Portugal
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 · The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (1976) at Art
- News items in the archive
- 62
Source: Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026.
Portugal 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 62 news items on Portugal, from 1999 to today.
Latest news
- JANUARY 1, 2005PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1867 and became totally abolitionist in 1976.
Portugal abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1867 and became totally abolitionist in 1976.
- APRIL 21, 2004PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death...
Portugal was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty at the 60th UN Commission on Human Rights
- APRIL 8, 2004PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1867 and became totally abolitionist in 1976.
Portugal abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1867 and became totally abolitionist in 1976.
- FEBRUARY 5, 2004PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Hailing as "positive" a Portuguese court ruling on...
Hailing as "positive" a Portuguese court ruling on extradition of underworld don Abu Salem, India voiced appreciation for the "excellent cooperation" of Lisbon
- JANUARY 9, 2004PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso,...
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, a vocal supporter of the US-led invasion of Iraq, said he opposed the death penalty for Saddam Hussein even though the Iraqi leader had committed "heinous crimes"
- APRIL 24, 2003PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death...
Portugal was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty approved by the UN Commission on Human Rights, in Geneva
- MARCH 4, 2003PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Amnesty International said that if Portugal extradited...
Amnesty International said that if Portugal extradited Indian gangster Abu Salem, who is accused of masterminding bombings in Bombay that killed nearly 300 people, it would violate the Portuguese constitution
- JANUARY 1, 2003PortugalDEATH PENALTY
The last execution took place in 1849
The last execution took place in 1849
- JANUARY 1, 2003PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal has signed but not yet ratified Protocol No...
Portugal 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, 2003PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes...
Portugal abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1867 and became totally abolitionist in 1976
- SEPTEMBER 21, 2002PortugalDEATH PENALTY
India formally sought deportation of underworld don...
India formally sought deportation of underworld don Abu Salem, who was arrested along with his wife Monica Bedi in Lisbon with Pakistani passport, and said it was prepared to guarantee that he would not be given death penalty
- MAY 3, 2002PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal signed Protocol 13 to the European Convention...
Portugal signed Protocol 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights, which ensures the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances
- APRIL 25, 2002PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal was a cosponsor and voted for the resolution...
Portugal was a cosponsor and voted for the resolution 2002/77 on the death penalty at the 58th UN Commission on Human Rights
- JANUARY 1, 2002PortugalDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (1976) at Art
The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (1976) at Art
- OCTOBER 4, 2001PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal's parliament approved constitutional changes,...
Portugal's parliament approved constitutional changes, including making extradition easier, to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism
- SEPTEMBER 21, 2001PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal, the sole European Union country to raise...
Portugal, the sole European Union country to raise constitutional questions about an anti-terror plan, is ready to change its constitution to take part, Prime Minister Antonio Guterres said
- SEPTEMBER 20, 2001PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portuguese Justice Minister Antonio Costa warned that...
Portuguese Justice Minister Antonio Costa warned that unless the constitution was changed, Portugal could become a "safe haven for terrorists"
- SEPTEMBER 19, 2001PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal will not give in to US pressure on the signing...
Portugal will not give in to US pressure on the signing of an agreement with the EU providing for the extradition to the USA of people involved in serious crimes, such as terrorism
- APRIL 25, 2001PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal was a cosponsor and voted in favour of the...
Portugal was a cosponsor and voted in favour of the resolution on the death penalty approved by the UN Commission on Human Rights on April 25, 2001
- MARCH 1, 2001PortugalDEATH PENALTY
The Portuguese Minister of Justice shrugged off an...
The Portuguese Minister of Justice shrugged off an official US report accusing Portugal of human rights abuses
- JANUARY 1, 2001PortugalDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (1976) at Art
The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (1976) at Art
- NOVEMBER 7, 2000PortugalDEATH PENALTY
President Jorge Sampaio wrote a letter to Texas govenor...
President Jorge Sampaio wrote a letter to Texas govenor George W
- JULY 18, 2000PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal was among a number of European Union members...
Portugal was among a number of European Union members to protest with Germany against the death sentences issued to four Chinese who burgled and then murdered the automobile executive Jurgen Pfrang and his family last April in the eastern city of Nanjing
- APRIL 26, 2000PortugalDEATH PENALTY
The UN Commission on Human Rights approved the resolution...
The UN Commission on Human Rights approved the resolution on the death penalty presented by Portugal, as President of the European Union
- MARCH 21, 2000PortugalDEATH PENALTY
At the UN Commission on Human Rights Jaime Gama, foreign...
At the UN Commission on Human Rights Jaime Gama, foreign minister of EU president Portugal, has said the EU is committed to dialogue with China on human rights
- MARCH 20, 2000PortugalDEATH PENALTY
The EU General Affairs Council in Brussels included...
The EU General Affairs Council in Brussels included a two-page statement condemning China for "marking time" by signing international pacts
- FEBRUARY 29, 2000PortugalDEATH PENALTY
The EU held in Lisbon a marathon eleven-hour session...
The EU held in Lisbon a marathon eleven-hour session of "dialogue on human rights" with China
- JANUARY 31, 2000PortugalDEATH PENALTY
The European Union condemned the execution by Uzbekistan...
The European Union condemned the execution by Uzbekistan of six people accused of planting bombs which killed 16 people in Tashkent
- JANUARY 28, 2000PortugalDEATH PENALTY
The Portuguese Presidency made the following declaration...
The Portuguese Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of the EU: "The European Union welcomes the recent decision of the Republic of Cyprus to ratify Protocol No 6 to the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the abolition of the dea
- JANUARY 1, 2000PortugalDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (1976) at Art
The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (1976) at Art