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, 2014BermudaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in 2000.
The death penalty was abolished in 2000.
- JANUARY 1, 2014New JerseyDEATH PENALTY
The method of execution is injection.
The method of execution is injection.
- JANUARY 1, 2014MinnesotaDEATH PENALTY
Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911
Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911
- JANUARY 1, 2014HawaiiDEATH 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, 2014West VirginiaDEATH PENALTY
West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965
West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965
- JANUARY 1, 2014MassachusettsDEATH PENALTY
Massachusetts does not have the death penalty
Massachusetts does not have the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2014North DakotaDEATH PENALTY
North Dakota does not have the death penalty
North Dakota does not have the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2014Vatican 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, 2014BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
- JANUARY 1, 2014MaineDEATH PENALTY
Maine does not have the death penalty, having abolished...
Maine does not have the death penalty, having abolished it in 1887
- JANUARY 1, 2014IllinoisDEATH 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, 2014CzechiaDEATH PENALTY
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2014Bosnia & 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, 2014AustriaDEATH 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, 2014EstoniaDEATH 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, 2014CroatiaDEATH PENALTY
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2014FranceDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
- JANUARY 1, 2014AlbaniaDEATH 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...
- DECEMBER 19, 2013United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - The Death Penalty Information Center released its annual report on the latest developments in capital punishment
USA - The Death Penalty Information Center released its annual report on the latest developments in capital punishment
DECEMBER 12, 2013MoroccoDEATH PENALTYMOROCCO: NEW MOVES TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY
A parliamentary opposition group has filed a bill to abolish the death penalty in
- DECEMBER 8, 2013DEATH PENALTY
CONNECTICUT (USA): POLAND'S PRESIDENT CHALLENGES STATE'S DEATH PENALTY
In what could spark an international incident, the president of Poland is demanding the state not execute
- DECEMBER 8, 2013PolandDEATH PENALTY
USA - Connecticut. Poland's president challenges state's death penalty
USA - Connecticut. Poland's president challenges state's death penalty
DECEMBER 6, 2013PakistanDEATH PENALTYPAKISTAN: DEATH PENALTY A BARRIER TO EU MARKET ACCESS, SENATE TOLD
In a written statement to the Senate, the Foreign Ministry said that Pakistan's case for greater
- NOVEMBER 30, 2013JapanDEATH PENALTY
When defending Japan’s use of the death penalty, the government always cites overwhelming public support
When defending Japan’s use of the death penalty, the government always cites overwhelming public support
- OCTOBER 23, 2013DEATH PENALTY
OREGON (USA): FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE RECOMMENDS REPEAL OF DEATH PENALTY
Edwin J. Peterson, who served as the Chief Justice of Oregon's Supreme Court for many years, recently recommended ending the “Dickensonian system we have in Oregon”.
- OCTOBER 23, 2013OregonDEATH PENALTY
USA - Oregon. Former Oregon Chief Justice Recommends Repeal of Death Penalty.
USA - Oregon. Former Oregon Chief Justice Recommends Repeal of Death Penalty.
- OCTOBER 17, 2013BotswanaDEATH PENALTY
BOTSWANA SAYS DEATH PENALTY REMAINS IN EFFECT
Botswana’s Government has maintained that the overturned five death sentences this year
OCTOBER 10, 2013ZimbabweDEATH PENALTYZIMBABWE: MINISTER OPPOSES DEATH PENALTY
In Zimbabwe, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa says
- OCTOBER 9, 2013Antigua & BarbudaDEATH PENALTY
CARIBBEAN URGED TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) urged Caribbean countries that
- SEPTEMBER 26, 2013OhioDEATH PENALTY
USA - Ohio. Panel Recommends Banning Death Penalty for Severely Mentally Ill.
USA - Ohio. Panel Recommends Banning Death Penalty for Severely Mentally Ill.