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
- APRIL 16, 2015NebraskaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Nebraska. LB268 to repeal the death penalty won 1st-round approval from lawmakers today
USA - Nebraska. LB268 to repeal the death penalty won 1st-round approval from lawmakers today
APRIL 14, 2015ItalyDEATH PENALTYORLANDO IN DOHA: DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION IS PRIORITY GOAL
"The abolition of the death penalty is a priority in view of the definition of the post-2015 development agenda". The Minister of Justice of Italy, Andrea Orlando, speaking in Doha at the panel discussion on Death, Drugs and Terrorism during the 13th Uni
- APRIL 2, 2015DEATH PENALTY
DELAWARE (USA): SENATE PASSES BILL TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY
The Delaware Senate has passed bill SB 40 to abolish the state's death penalty. The
- MARCH 17, 2015NebraskaDEATH PENALTY
USA - South Carolina. A Senate subcommittee advances bill to shield execution-drug sellers
USA - South Carolina. A Senate subcommittee advances bill to shield execution-drug sellers
- MARCH 17, 2015KansasDEATH PENALTY
USA - Nebraska. Nebraska's 3 Catholic bishops are calling for repeal of the death penalty
USA - Nebraska. Nebraska's 3 Catholic bishops are calling for repeal of the death penalty
MARCH 13, 2015ZimbabweDEATH PENALTYZIMBABWE: MINISTER EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, 'REMOVE DEATH PENALTY TOTALLY'
Zimbabwe’s acting President and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, reiterated he wanted the death penalty “totally” abolished by the Constitution.
- MARCH 9, 2015NebraskaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Nebraska. The Judiciary Committee voted 8-0 to abolish death penalty.
USA - Nebraska. The Judiciary Committee voted 8-0 to abolish death penalty.
MARCH 9, 2015DEATH PENALTYNEBRASKA (USA): COMMITTEE ADVANCES BILL TO REPEAL DEATH PENALTY
The Judiciary Committee voted 8-0 to abolish death penalty.
MARCH 5, 2015Vatican CityDEATH PENALTYVATICAN CITY STATE: HOLY SEE CALLS FOR A GLOBAL MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
The Holy See called today for a global moratorium on the use of the death penalty aiming at the abolition.
- MARCH 3, 2015SurinameDEATH PENALTY
SURINAME: DEATH PENALTY ABOLISHED
the National Assembly of Suriname abolished the death penalty, in the framework
- FEBRUARY 23, 2015DEATH PENALTY
MONTANA (USA): HOUSE KILLS REPEAL OF DEATH PENALTY ON TIE VOTE
HB 370 to abolish Montana's death penalty has been scuttled by a tie vote (50-50) in the House. The
- FEBRUARY 11, 2015South DakotaDEATH PENALTY
USA - South Dakota. Proposal Allowing Objection To Death Penalty Defeated
USA - South Dakota. Proposal Allowing Objection To Death Penalty Defeated
- FEBRUARY 9, 2015United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - A new Rasmussen poll found that 57% of American adults support the death penalty
USA - A new Rasmussen poll found that 57% of American adults support the death penalty
FEBRUARY 9, 2015FijiDEATH PENALTYFIJI: MPS TO VOTE ON REMOVAL OF DEATH PENALTY FROM THE MILITARY ACT
- JANUARY 29, 2015WyomingDEATH PENALTY
USA - Wyoming. Bill to abolish the death penalty was defeated in the House Judiciary Committee
USA - Wyoming. Bill to abolish the death penalty was defeated in the House Judiciary Committee
JANUARY 24, 2015JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: CABINET OFFICE POLL, 80% OF RESPONDENTS THINK DEATH PENALTY ‘PERMISSIBLE’
The Government of Japan released an opinion poll showing 80.3 percent of respondents considered the
- JANUARY 1, 2015Sierra 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, 2015Myanmar (Burma)DEATH PENALTY
In Myanmar (formerly Burma) capital crimes are: murder
In Myanmar (formerly Burma) capital crimes are: murder
- JANUARY 1, 2015JapanDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty in Japan is provided for 13 crimes
The death penalty in Japan is provided for 13 crimes
- JANUARY 1, 2015TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for murder, drug offenses, treason and military offenses.
The death penalty is provided for murder, drug offenses, treason and military offenses.
- JANUARY 1, 2015RussiaDEATH PENALTY
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
- JANUARY 1, 2015BelarusDEATH PENALTY
Article 24 of the constitution reads that
Article 24 of the constitution reads that "the death penalty...
- JANUARY 1, 2015LatviaDEATH 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, 2015MaliDEATH 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, 2015LibyaDEATH PENALTY
Under the penal code in force at the time of Gaddafi...
Under the penal code in force at the time of Gaddafi...
- JANUARY 1, 2015MoroccoDEATH PENALTY
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2015EgyptDEATH PENALTY
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2015Congo - 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, 2015CameroonDEATH PENALTY
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
- JANUARY 1, 2015Burkina FasoDEATH PENALTY
Burkina Faso provides for the death penalty in the following crimes:
Burkina Faso provides for the death penalty in the following crimes: