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, 2012HawaiiDEATH 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, 2012MaineDEATH PENALTY
Maine does not have the death penalty, having abolished...
Maine does not have the death penalty, having abolished it in 1887
- JANUARY 1, 2012MassachusettsDEATH PENALTY
Massachusetts does not have the death penalty
Massachusetts does not have the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2012West VirginiaDEATH PENALTY
West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965
West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965
- JANUARY 1, 2012MinnesotaDEATH PENALTY
Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911
Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911
- JANUARY 1, 2012Bosnia & 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, 2012North DakotaDEATH PENALTY
North Dakota does not have the death penalty
North Dakota does not have the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2012AustriaDEATH 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, 2012AlbaniaDEATH 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, 2012GabonDEATH PENALTY
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2012Vatican 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, 2012BulgariaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty for all crimes was abolished on December 10, 1998.
The death penalty for all crimes was abolished on December 10, 1998.
- JANUARY 1, 2012BelgiumDEATH PENALTY
Belgium abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1996.
Belgium abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1996.
- JANUARY 1, 2012EstoniaDEATH 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, 2012DenmarkDEATH PENALTY
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
- JANUARY 1, 2012GermanyDEATH 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, 2012GeorgiaDEATH PENALTY
Georgia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1997.
Georgia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1997.
- JANUARY 1, 2012FranceDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
- JANUARY 1, 2012CroatiaDEATH PENALTY
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2012CzechiaDEATH PENALTY
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2012ItalyDEATH PENALTY
Italy became totally abolitionist in 1994, when the death penalty was abolished from the Military Codes.
Italy became totally abolitionist in 1994, when the death penalty was abolished from the Military Codes.
- JANUARY 1, 2012HungaryDEATH PENALTY
Hungary has been abolitionist since 1990, following a decision by the Constitutional Court.
Hungary has been abolitionist since 1990, following a decision by the Constitutional Court.
- JANUARY 1, 2012LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
On April 15, 1999, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for crimes committed in peacetime.
- JANUARY 1, 2012LithuaniaDEATH PENALTY
Lithuania abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1998...
Lithuania abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1998...
- JANUARY 1, 2012IrelandDEATH PENALTY
Ireland abolished the death penalty in 1990.
Ireland abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2012LuxembourgDEATH PENALTY
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
- JANUARY 1, 2012LiechtensteinDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1987.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1987.
- JANUARY 1, 2012IcelandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was officially abolished in Iceland in 1928, but it had not been applied since 1830.
The death penalty was officially abolished in Iceland in 1928, but it had not been applied since 1830.
- JANUARY 1, 2012MaltaDEATH PENALTY
The Maltese Parliament abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes on October 4, 1971.
The Maltese Parliament abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes on October 4, 1971.
- JANUARY 1, 2012RomaniaDEATH PENALTY
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.