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
- MARCH 6, 2013DEATH PENALTY
MARYLAND (USA): SENATE PASSES DEATH PENALTY REPEAL BILL
The Maryland Senate approved legislation to repeal the state’s death penalty, putting Maryland
- MARCH 4, 2013North CarolinaDEATH PENALTY
USA - North Carolina. Poll: N.C. residents reject death penalty
USA - North Carolina. Poll: N.C. residents reject death penalty
FEBRUARY 25, 2013United NationsDEATH PENALTYUN: BAN KI-MOON REAFFIRMS CALL FOR MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated his call for a global moratorium on applying
- FEBRUARY 21, 2013DEATH PENALTY
MARYLAND (USA): SENATE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE APPROVES MEASURE TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY
In Maryland, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee approves Senate Bill 276, a measure
FEBRUARY 19, 2013ZimbabweDEATH PENALTYZIMBABWE: SENATE APPROVES MOTION FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY
Following the mission accomplished by Hands Off Cain and the Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty in Zimbabwe last summer, the Human Rights Commission of the Senate passed with 16 votes in favor and 15 against, the motion for the aboliti
FEBRUARY 5, 2013ZimbabweDEATH PENALTYZIMBABWE: MDC-T SENATORS OPPOSE DEATH PENALTY
In Zimbabwe, MDC-T senators proposed that convicted murderers be quarantined instead of
JANUARY 23, 2013BelarusDEATH PENALTYBELARUS: DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION DELAYED
The question of abolishing the death penalty in Belarus remains open, Chairman of the Constitutional
- JANUARY 17, 2013ArkansasDEATH PENALTY
USA - Arkansas. Governor Reverses Position on Death Penalty
USA - Arkansas. Governor Reverses Position on Death Penalty
- JANUARY 15, 2013DEATH PENALTY
MARYLAND (USA): GOVERNOR O'MALLEY MAKES DEATH PENALTY REPEAL A PRIORITY
At a press conference with leaders of the NAACP, Maryland's Governor Martin O'Malley
- JANUARY 15, 2013MarylandDEATH PENALTY
USA - Maryland. Governor Makes Death Penalty Repeal a Priority.
USA - Maryland. Governor Makes Death Penalty Repeal a Priority.
- JANUARY 4, 2013ColoradoDEATH PENALTY
USA - Many States to Consider Death Penalty Abolition and Reform in 2013.
USA - Many States to Consider Death Penalty Abolition and Reform in 2013.
- JANUARY 4, 2013OregonDEATH PENALTY
USA - Many States to Consider Death Penalty Abolition and Reform in 2013
USA - Many States to Consider Death Penalty Abolition and Reform in 2013
- JANUARY 3, 2013United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - DPIC's 2012 Year End Report received extensive media coverage in the U.S. and internationally.
USA - DPIC's 2012 Year End Report received extensive media coverage in the U.S. and internationally.
- JANUARY 1, 2013ZimbabweDEATH PENALTY
In June 2013, after ten consecutive years without carrying out executions...
In June 2013, after ten consecutive years without carrying out executions...
- JANUARY 1, 2013CameroonDEATH PENALTY
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
- JANUARY 1, 2013BelarusDEATH PENALTY
Article 24 of the constitution reads that
Article 24 of the constitution reads that "the death penalty...
- JANUARY 1, 2013LebanonDEATH PENALTY
Lebanon reinstated the death penalty in 1994 in a bid to stem a rise in violent crime following the 1975-90 civil war.
Lebanon reinstated the death penalty in 1994 in a bid to stem a rise in violent crime following the 1975-90 civil war.
- JANUARY 1, 2013TanzaniaDEATH PENALTY
Tanzania still retains the death penalty as one of punishments under...
Tanzania still retains the death penalty as one of punishments under...
- JANUARY 1, 2013MoroccoDEATH PENALTY
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2013LiberiaDEATH PENALTY
The National Transitional Government was established under ...
The National Transitional Government was established under
- JANUARY 1, 2013SenegalDEATH 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, 2013FijiDEATH 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, 2013Solomon IslandsDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
- JANUARY 1, 2013TogoDEATH PENALTY
On June 23, 2009, Togo's parliament voted unanimously to abolish the death penalty.
On June 23, 2009, Togo's parliament voted unanimously to abolish the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2013MongoliaDEATH PENALTY
On 13 March 2012, Mongolia acceded to the Second Optional Protocol
On 13 March 2012, Mongolia acceded to the Second Optional Protocol
- JANUARY 1, 2013BurundiDEATH 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, 2013IllinoisDEATH 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, 2013South SudanDEATH PENALTY
The Republic of South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011
The Republic of South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011
- JANUARY 1, 2013Sierra 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, 2013BeninDEATH PENALTY
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...