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, 2018KyrgyzstanDEATH PENALTY
On June 27, 2007 Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev...
On June 27, 2007 Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed legislation amending Kyrgyzstan's criminal codes and abolishing the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2018LiechtensteinDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1987.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1987.
- JANUARY 1, 2018ArgentinaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1984.
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1984.
- JANUARY 1, 2018LuxembourgDEATH PENALTY
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
- JANUARY 1, 2018LithuaniaDEATH PENALTY
Lithuania abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1998...
Lithuania abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1998...
- JANUARY 1, 2018AlbaniaDEATH 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, 2018AngolaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution approved in 1992 abolished the death penalty.
The Constitution approved in 1992 abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2018AzerbaijanDEATH 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, 2018AustriaDEATH 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, 2018AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
- JANUARY 1, 2018Bosnia & 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, 2018BelgiumDEATH PENALTY
Belgium abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1996.
Belgium abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1996.
- JANUARY 1, 2018BarbadosDEATH PENALTY
Barbados retains a mandatory death penalty or murder and treason.
Barbados retains a mandatory death penalty or murder and treason.
- JANUARY 1, 2018BoliviaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of Bolivia, under article 17 bars the death penalty.
The Constitution of Bolivia, under article 17 bars the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2018BurundiDEATH 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, 2018BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
- JANUARY 1, 2018BulgariaDEATH 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, 2018BrazilDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Brazil said
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Brazil said
- JANUARY 1, 2018Burkina FasoDEATH PENALTY
Burkina Faso abolishes the death penalty
Burkina Faso abolishes the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2018CzechiaDEATH PENALTY
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2018ComorosDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, treason and spying are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, treason and spying are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2018ColombiaDEATH PENALTY
Colombia abolished the death penalty in 1910.
Colombia abolished the death penalty in 1910.
- JANUARY 1, 2018CroatiaDEATH PENALTY
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2018Congo - 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, 2018DenmarkDEATH PENALTY
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
- JANUARY 1, 2018FijiDEATH 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, 2018FinlandDEATH 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, 2018FranceDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
- JANUARY 1, 2018El SalvadorDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in El Salvador in 1983 for all crimes
The death penalty was abolished in El Salvador in 1983 for all crimes
- JANUARY 1, 2018EstoniaDEATH 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.