The abolition of the death penalty
Archive theme
The association places countries in four states: retentionist, abolitionist in practice — no executions for at least ten years —, abolitionist for ordinary crimes, and abolitionist for all crimes. Moving from one state to the next is almost always slow: first the executions stop, then the law changes.
This page collects the news on abolitions, legislative reforms, constitutional rulings and changes of state. The current legal status of every country is in the database.
Latest news
- FEBRUARY 14, 2019WyomingDEATH PENALTY
USA - Wyoming. HB 145 to repeal the death penalty failed in the Senate.
USA - Wyoming. HB 145 to repeal the death penalty failed in the Senate.
- FEBRUARY 13, 2019WyomingDEATH PENALTY
USA - Wyoming. HB 145, which would repeal the death penalty, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee
USA - Wyoming. HB 145, which would repeal the death penalty, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee
FEBRUARY 6, 2019ZimbabweDEATH PENALTYZIMBABWE: GOVT REMOVES 34 FROM DEATH ROW TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT AS DEATH SENTENCE PHASES OUT
Government has shown its commitment towards abolishing the death penalty in line with international human rights obligations after it commuted sentences of 34 inmates on death row to life terms, a Cabinet minister said on 31 January 2019.
- FEBRUARY 1, 2019WyomingDEATH PENALTY
USA - Wyoming. House passes repeal of death penalty (HB 145)
USA - Wyoming. House passes repeal of death penalty (HB 145)
- JANUARY 25, 2019NebraskaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Nebraska. The Nebraska Supreme Court did not invalid 8 death sentences
USA - Nebraska. The Nebraska Supreme Court did not invalid 8 death sentences
JANUARY 22, 2019MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: NO REFERENDUM ON ABOLISHING DEATH PENALTY, SAYS MINISTER
The government will not hold a public vote on the proposal to abolish the death penalty.
- JANUARY 7, 2019DEATH PENALTY
STUDY: INTERNATIONAL DATA SHOWS DECLINING MURDER RATES AFTER ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY
Nations that abolish the death penalty then tend to see their murder rates decline, according to a December 2018 report by the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, a Washington, DC-based organization that promotes human rights and democracy in Iran.
- JANUARY 2, 2019DEATH PENALTY
INTERNATIONAL - Study: International Data Shows Declining Murder Rates After Abolition of Death Penalty.
INTERNATIONAL - Study: International Data Shows Declining Murder Rates After Abolition of Death Penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2019GeorgiaDEATH PENALTY
Georgia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1997.
Georgia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1997.
- 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, 2019South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
20 years without executions
20 years without executions
- JANUARY 1, 2019ParaguayDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of Paraguay (1992) at Art. 4,
The Constitution of Paraguay (1992) at Art. 4, "The Right to life," states in part: "The death penalty is abolished."
- JANUARY 1, 2019AlbaniaDEATH PENALTY
Capital punishment was abolished from the Criminal Code on December 10, 1999...
Capital punishment was abolished from the Criminal Code on December 10, 1999...
- JANUARY 1, 2019HungaryDEATH PENALTY
Hungary has been abolitionist since 1990, following a decision by the Constitutional Court.
Hungary has been abolitionist since 1990, following a decision by the Constitutional Court.
- JANUARY 1, 2019ThailandDEATH PENALTY
Under the Penal Code alone, the death sentence can be applied to 35 crimes
Under the Penal Code alone, the death sentence can be applied to 35 crimes
- JANUARY 1, 2019MalawiDEATH PENALTY
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are murder...
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2019St. Vincent & GrenadinesDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2019GuyanaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2019Sierra LeoneDEATH PENALTY
Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution allows the use of the death penalty for aggravated robbery
Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution allows the use of the death penalty for aggravated robbery
- JANUARY 1, 2019ZambiaDEATH PENALTY
The Zambian penal code, section 43, foresees that the death penalty...
The Zambian penal code, section 43, foresees that the death penalty...
- JANUARY 1, 2019SloveniaDEATH PENALTY
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2019GambiaDEATH PENALTY
On 19 February 2018, Gambian President Adama Barrow announced a moratorium on the death penalty
On 19 February 2018, Gambian President Adama Barrow announced a moratorium on the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2019BelgiumDEATH PENALTY
Belgium abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1996.
Belgium abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1996.
- JANUARY 1, 2019BurundiDEATH PENALTY
On April 22, 2009, Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza promulgated the new criminal code
On April 22, 2009, Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza promulgated the new criminal code which abolishes the death penalty but makes homosexuality a crime punishable by jail.
- JANUARY 1, 2019EthiopiaDEATH PENALTY
In 2017, Ethiopia became de facto abolitionist, after 10 consecutive year without executions.
In 2017, Ethiopia became de facto abolitionist, after 10 consecutive year without executions.
- JANUARY 1, 2019EgyptDEATH PENALTY
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2019RwandaDEATH PENALTY
Rwanda is the first African country in the Great Lakes region to abolish the death penalty
Rwanda is the first African country in the Great Lakes region to abolish the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2019KenyaDEATH PENALTY
the mandatory death sentence is no longer lawful in Kenya
the mandatory death sentence is no longer lawful in Kenya
- JANUARY 1, 2019Congo - BrazzavilleDEATH PENALTY
Murder, treason, spying and offences against the State are capital crimes.
Murder, treason, spying and offences against the State are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2019TogoDEATH PENALTY
On June 23, 2009, Togo's parliament voted unanimously to abolish the death penalty.
On June 23, 2009, Togo's parliament voted unanimously to abolish the death penalty.