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
- JANUARY 1, 2019IrelandDEATH PENALTY
Ireland abolished the death penalty in 1990.
Ireland abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2019LithuaniaDEATH PENALTY
Lithuania abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1998...
Lithuania abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1998...
- JANUARY 1, 2019AngolaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution approved in 1992 abolished the death penalty.
The Constitution approved in 1992 abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2019Bosnia & HerzegovinaDEATH PENALTY
With the ratification on July 29, 2003 of the Protocol No 13...
With the ratification on July 29, 2003 of the Protocol No 13...
- JANUARY 1, 2019BarbadosDEATH PENALTY
Barbados retains a mandatory death penalty or murder and treason.
Barbados retains a mandatory death penalty or murder and treason.
- JANUARY 1, 2019BulgariaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty for all crimes was abolished on December 10, 1998.
The death penalty for all crimes was abolished on December 10, 1998.
- JANUARY 1, 2019AzerbaijanDEATH PENALTY
Parliament voted for abolition on February 10, 1998 following an initiative by President Ilham Aliyev in January 1998.
Parliament voted for abolition on February 10, 1998 following an initiative by President Ilham Aliyev in January 1998.
- JANUARY 1, 2019ArgentinaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1984.
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1984.
- JANUARY 1, 2019AustriaDEATH PENALTY
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states "The death penalty is abolished."
- JANUARY 1, 2019AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
- JANUARY 1, 2019DenmarkDEATH PENALTY
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
- JANUARY 1, 2019CzechiaDEATH PENALTY
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2019ColombiaDEATH PENALTY
Colombia abolished the death penalty in 1910.
Colombia abolished the death penalty in 1910.
- JANUARY 1, 2019EstoniaDEATH PENALTY
Estonia abolished the death penalty for all crimes on May 13, 1998.
Estonia abolished the death penalty for all crimes on May 13, 1998.
- JANUARY 1, 2019GabonDEATH PENALTY
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2019FijiDEATH PENALTY
Fiji abolished the death penalty for treason and piracy in February 2002
Fiji abolished the death penalty for treason and piracy in February 2002
- JANUARY 1, 2019FranceDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
- JANUARY 1, 2019FinlandDEATH PENALTY
Finland abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1949, and for all crimes in 1972.
Finland abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1949, and for all crimes in 1972.
- JANUARY 1, 2019HaitiDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Haiti (1987) at Art. 20 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Haiti (1987) at Art. 20 states:
- JANUARY 1, 2019GermanyDEATH PENALTY
The Federal Republic of Germany abolished the death penalty in 1949.
The Federal Republic of Germany abolished the death penalty in 1949.
- JANUARY 1, 2019IsraelDEATH PENALTY
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
- JANUARY 1, 2019SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992.
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992.
- JANUARY 1, 2019IcelandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was officially abolished in Iceland in 1928, but it had not been applied since 1830.
The death penalty was officially abolished in Iceland in 1928, but it had not been applied since 1830.
- JANUARY 1, 2019MaltaDEATH PENALTY
The Maltese Parliament abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes on October 4, 1971.
The Maltese Parliament abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes on October 4, 1971.
- JANUARY 1, 2019MontenegroDEATH PENALTY
Montenegro is completely abolitionist
Montenegro is completely abolitionist
- JANUARY 1, 2019NorwayDEATH PENALTY
Abolitionist for common crimes since 1905, Norway has been fully abolitionist since 1979.
Abolitionist for common crimes since 1905, Norway has been fully abolitionist since 1979.
- JANUARY 1, 2019MozambiqueDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique (1990) at Art. 70 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique (1990) at Art. 70 states: "1. All citizens shall have the right to life.
- JANUARY 1, 2019ComorosDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, treason and spying are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, treason and spying are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2019BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
- JANUARY 1, 2019RomaniaDEATH PENALTY
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.