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, 2013New JerseyDEATH PENALTY
The method of execution is injection.
The method of execution is injection.
- JANUARY 1, 2013BermudaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in 2000.
The death penalty was abolished in 2000.
- JANUARY 1, 2013LatviaDEATH 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, 2013TunisiaDEATH PENALTY
In Tunisian law the death penalty is issued for 21 separate offenses
In Tunisian law the death penalty is issued for 21 separate offenses
- JANUARY 1, 2013Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- JANUARY 1, 2013TaiwanDEATH 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, 2013HawaiiDEATH 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, 2013MinnesotaDEATH PENALTY
Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911
Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911
- JANUARY 1, 2013MaineDEATH PENALTY
Maine does not have the death penalty, having abolished...
Maine does not have the death penalty, having abolished it in 1887
- JANUARY 1, 2013West VirginiaDEATH PENALTY
West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965
West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965
- JANUARY 1, 2013North DakotaDEATH PENALTY
North Dakota does not have the death penalty
North Dakota does not have the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2013GabonDEATH PENALTY
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2013MassachusettsDEATH PENALTY
Massachusetts does not have the death penalty
Massachusetts does not have the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2013BelgiumDEATH PENALTY
Belgium abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1996.
Belgium abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1996.
- JANUARY 1, 2013AlbaniaDEATH 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, 2013Vatican 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, 2013AustriaDEATH 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, 2013Bosnia & 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, 2013EstoniaDEATH 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, 2013CzechiaDEATH PENALTY
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2013DenmarkDEATH PENALTY
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
- DECEMBER 18, 2012United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - The death penalty in 2012: Year End Report. From the Death Penalty Information Center
USA - The death penalty in 2012: Year End Report. From the Death Penalty Information Center
DECEMBER 18, 2012DEATH PENALTYUSA: DPIC'S YEAR END REPORT
Just four states carried out more than three-fourths of the executions in the United
- DECEMBER 12, 2012MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
EU ENVOY: MALAYSIA MOVING TOWARDS ABOLITION OF DEATH SENTENCE
Malaysia has seen positive developments in the move towards abolishing the death penalty
NOVEMBER 27, 2012JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: '80%' APPROVAL OF DEATH PENALTY HIT
The government inflates support for the death penalty in its opinion surveys and a significant portion
- NOVEMBER 22, 2012ChadDEATH PENALTY
DEATH PENALTY: THE MISSION OF THE RADICAL PARTY IN CHAD CONTINUES
Yesterday was the second day of the mission of Hands Off Cain and the Radical Party in Chad to support the abolitionist process internally and gain the support of the African country to the UN resolution for the universal moratorium on executions.
- NOVEMBER 19, 2012DEATH PENALTY
DEATH PENALTY: MISSION OF THE NON VIOLENT RADICAL PARTY IN CHAD
Today begins a four-day mission of Hands Off Cain and the Radical Party in Chad to support the abolitionist process internally and to gain the support of the African country to the UN resolution for the universal moratorium on executions.
- NOVEMBER 19, 2012ItalyDEATH PENALTY
UNITED NATIONS: NEW RESOLUTION PRO MORATORIUM VOTED BY A RECORD NUMBER OF 110 COUNTRIES
The UN General Assembly’s Third Committee in New York adopted a new resolution
- NOVEMBER 14, 2012SingaporeDEATH PENALTY
SINGAPORE: AMENDMENTS TO PENAL CODE PASSED IN PARLIAMENT
In Singapore, the mandatory death penalty will no longer be applied to murder cases where
NOVEMBER 11, 2012TürkiyeDEATH PENALTYTURKEY: ANKARA COULD BRING BACK DEATH PENALTY
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara would consider bringing back capital punishment in terror related crimes, a decade after it abolished the practice.