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, 2015New JerseyDEATH PENALTY
The method of execution is injection.
The method of execution is injection.
- JANUARY 1, 2015BermudaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in 2000.
The death penalty was abolished in 2000.
- JANUARY 1, 2015MinnesotaDEATH PENALTY
Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911
Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911
- JANUARY 1, 2015HawaiiDEATH PENALTY
Hawaii does not have the death penalty, having abolished...
Hawaii does not have the death penalty, having abolished it in 1956 before becoming a state
- JANUARY 1, 2015West VirginiaDEATH PENALTY
West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965
West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965
- JANUARY 1, 2015MaineDEATH PENALTY
Maine does not have the death penalty, having abolished...
Maine does not have the death penalty, having abolished it in 1887
- JANUARY 1, 2015MassachusettsDEATH PENALTY
Massachusetts does not have the death penalty
Massachusetts does not have the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2015Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
- JANUARY 1, 2015IllinoisDEATH PENALTY
On March 9, 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn abolished the death penalty
On March 9, 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn abolished the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2015North DakotaDEATH PENALTY
North Dakota does not have the death penalty
North Dakota does not have the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2015BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
- JANUARY 1, 2015CzechiaDEATH PENALTY
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2015Bosnia & 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, 2015AustriaDEATH 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, 2015FranceDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
- JANUARY 1, 2015GermanyDEATH 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, 2015CroatiaDEATH PENALTY
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2015EstoniaDEATH 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, 2015AlbaniaDEATH 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, 2015SlovakiaDEATH PENALTY
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
DECEMBER 31, 2014MarylandDEATH PENALTYMARYLAND: GOV. MARTIN O'MALLEY COMMUTES FOUR DEATH SENTENCES
Governor Martin O'Malley commuted the death sentences of the last 4 inmates remaining on death row, effectively ending capital punishment in the state.
- DECEMBER 18, 2014DEATH PENALTY
DEATH PENALTY: UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY’S VOTE PRO-MORATORIUM A FURTHER STEP TOWARDS ABOLITION
the General Assembly of the United Nations advanced again its call to end the use of the death penalty with the passage of a new Resolution calling on States to establish a moratorium on executions, with a view to abolishing the practice. It was the fifth
- DECEMBER 18, 2014ItalyDEATH PENALTY
DEATH PENALTY: COMMENTS ON THE UN VOTE PRO-MORATORIUM
the General Assembly of the United Nations advanced again its call to end the use of the death
- NOVEMBER 26, 2014TexasDEATH PENALTY
USA - Texas. After more than 15 years on Texas' Court of Criminal Appeals, Judge Tom Price calls for abolition.
USA - Texas. After more than 15 years on Texas' Court of Criminal Appeals, Judge Tom Price calls for abolition.
- NOVEMBER 21, 2014United NationsDEATH PENALTY
UNITED NATIONS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY’S VOTE PRO-MORATORIUM A FURTHER STEP TOWARDS ABOLITION
The Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly approved the fifth resolution for the Universal moratorium on executions with a record number of 114 votes in favour and the lowest of the votes against, 36, while 34 abstained and 9 were absent a
- NOVEMBER 21, 2014ItalyDEATH PENALTY
RADICAL PARTY DELEGATION LED BY MARCO PANNELLA MEETS THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE IN NIGER ON THE UN PRO-MORATORIUM RESOLUTION AND ON THE RIGHT TO KNOW
The delegation of the Radical Party and Hands Off Cain led by Marco Pannella and Sergio D'Elia that comprises Marco Perduca, Matteo Angioli, Marco Maria Freddi and Stefano Marrella, on a mission in Niger to promote support on a resolution in favor of a Un
- NOVEMBER 20, 2014ItalyDEATH PENALTY
MISSION OF RADICALS IN NIGER, THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE MORATORIUM RESOLUTION AT THE UNAND ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN THE COUNTRY
The delegation of Hands Off Cain and the Nonviolent Radical Party Transnational and Transparty was received today by the Minister of Justice and government spokesman, Marou Amadou.
- NOVEMBER 17, 2014ComorosDEATH PENALTY
COMOROS: SECOND LEG OF THE HANDS OFF CAIN AND THE NONVIOLENT RADICAL PARTY IN AFRICA FOR THE UN MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY
After the visit in Zimbabwe, the mission of Hands Off Cain and the Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty is now in the Comoros. Objective of the mission s to promote the UN Resolution on the Universal Moratorium of the Death Penalty, whic
NOVEMBER 13, 2014ItalyDEATH PENALTYZIMBABWE: HANDS OFF CAIN MEETS THE VICE-MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO URGE A VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE UN RESOLUTION ON THE MORATORIUM
The delegation of the Hands Off Cain and the Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty, composed of Sergio D’Elia, Marco Perduca and Marco Maria Freddi, accompanied by H.E. Enrico De Agostini Ambassador of Italy and Ms. Paula Vazquez, of the
NOVEMBER 12, 2014JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: LAWYERS' GROUP URGES NEW JUSTICE MINISTER TO SUSPEND EXECUTIONS
The Japan Federation of Bar Associations submitted a written request for Justice Minister Yoko