Murder, rape and treason are capital crimes.

Murder, rape and treason are capital crimes. In 1996 the death penalty was reinstated under military law.
Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy with King Letsie III as Head of State. Under the Constitution, the King fills a ceremonial role, has no executive authority, and is proscribed from actively taking part in political initiatives.
Unrest followed the 1998 elections deemed acceptable by observers, but contested by the opposition. Neighbouring countries intervened to quell it, and a new electoral system to make parliament more representative was formulated. In May 2002 further parliamentary elections were held, which international observers declared to be free and fair.
The last execution took place on November 25, 1995. Last death sentences were imposed by the courts in 1996 on four accused, three of whom were tried separately and sentenced to death for the same murder.
On December 18, 2007 Lesotho abstained on the Resolution on a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty at the UN General Assembly.