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, 2018HaitiDEATH 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, 2018GermanyDEATH 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, 2018GeorgiaDEATH PENALTY
Georgia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1997.
Georgia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1997.
- JANUARY 1, 2018HungaryDEATH 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, 2018GabonDEATH PENALTY
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2018GambiaDEATH 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, 2018IcelandDEATH 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, 2018MaltaDEATH 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, 2018IsraelDEATH PENALTY
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
- JANUARY 1, 2018MaliDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are given in Mali for serious crimes such as assassinations...
Death sentences are given in Mali for serious crimes such as assassinations...
- JANUARY 1, 2018MongoliaDEATH PENALTY
On 3 December 2015, Mongolia’s parliament voted in favour of a new Criminal Code
On 3 December 2015, Mongolia’s parliament voted in favour of a new Criminal Code that abolishes the death penalty for all crimes
- JANUARY 1, 2018MontenegroDEATH PENALTY
Montenegro is completely abolitionist
Montenegro is completely abolitionist
- JANUARY 1, 2018MozambiqueDEATH 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, 2018NetherlandsDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (1983) at Art. 114 states:
The Constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (1983) at Art. 114 states: "Capital punishment may not be imposed.
- JANUARY 1, 2018NorwayDEATH 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, 2018RwandaDEATH 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, 2018PolandDEATH PENALTY
Poland abolished the death penalty in 1997 and a penal code introduced in 1998 replaced it with life imprisonment.
Poland abolished the death penalty in 1997 and a penal code introduced in 1998 replaced it with life imprisonment.
- JANUARY 1, 2018MoldovaDEATH PENALTY
Moldova abolished the death penalty for all crimes in December 1995...
Moldova abolished the death penalty for all crimes in December 1995 but the Constitution retains it for crimes committed during war or with an inevitable threat of war.
- JANUARY 1, 2018PeruDEATH PENALTY
Peru has been abolitionist for common crimes since 1979, when the last execution was held.
Peru has been abolitionist for common crimes since 1979, when the last execution was held.
- JANUARY 1, 2018ParaguayDEATH 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, 2018RomaniaDEATH PENALTY
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2018St. Vincent & GrenadinesDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2018SlovakiaDEATH PENALTY
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2018SerbiaDEATH PENALTY
Serbia abolished the death penalty for all crimes on February 26, 2002
Serbia abolished the death penalty for all crimes on February 26, 2002
- JANUARY 1, 2018San MarinoDEATH PENALTY
San Marino abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1848 and fully abolished it in 1865.
San Marino abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1848 and fully abolished it in 1865.
- JANUARY 1, 2018SenegalDEATH PENALTY
On December 10, 2004 Senegal’s National Assembly, with a resounding majority, voted to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.
On December 10, 2004 Senegal’s National Assembly, with a resounding majority, voted to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2018SloveniaDEATH PENALTY
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2018SwitzerlandDEATH 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, 2018SpainDEATH PENALTY
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
- JANUARY 1, 2018SwedenDEATH PENALTY
Sweden abolished capital punishment for ordinary crimes in 1921 and has been abolitionist for all crimes since 1972.
Sweden abolished capital punishment for ordinary crimes in 1921 and has been abolitionist for all crimes since 1972.