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, 2011SpainDEATH PENALTY
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
- JANUARY 1, 2011SlovakiaDEATH PENALTY
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2011San MarinoDEATH PENALTY
San Marino abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1848 and fully abolished it in 1865.
San Marino abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1848 and fully abolished it in 1865.
- JANUARY 1, 2011SloveniaDEATH PENALTY
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2011MoldovaDEATH PENALTY
Moldova abolished the death penalty for all crimes in December 1995...
Moldova abolished the death penalty for all crimes in December 1995 but the Constitution retains it for crimes committed during war or with an inevitable threat of war.
- JANUARY 1, 2011NorwayDEATH PENALTY
Abolitionist for common crimes since 1905, Norway has been fully abolitionist since 1979.
Abolitionist for common crimes since 1905, Norway has been fully abolitionist since 1979.
- JANUARY 1, 2011RwandaDEATH PENALTY
Rwanda is the first African country in the Great Lakes region to abolish the death penalty
Rwanda is the first African country in the Great Lakes region to abolish the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2011RomaniaDEATH PENALTY
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2011PolandDEATH PENALTY
Poland abolished the death penalty in 1997 and a penal code introduced in 1998 replaced it with life imprisonment.
Poland abolished the death penalty in 1997 and a penal code introduced in 1998 replaced it with life imprisonment.
- JANUARY 1, 2011PhilippinesDEATH PENALTY
On June 24, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed a law abolishing the death penalty.
On June 24, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed a law abolishing the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2011ParaguayDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of Paraguay (1992) at Art. 4,
The Constitution of Paraguay (1992) at Art. 4, "The Right to life," states in part: "The death penalty is abolished."
- JANUARY 1, 2011MontenegroDEATH PENALTY
Montenegro is completely abolitionist
Montenegro is completely abolitionist
- JANUARY 1, 2011NetherlandsDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (1983) at Art. 114 states:
The Constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (1983) at Art. 114 states: "Capital punishment may not be imposed.
- JANUARY 1, 2011MozambiqueDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique (1990) at Art. 70 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique (1990) at Art. 70 states: "1. All citizens shall have the right to life.
- JANUARY 1, 2011MaltaDEATH 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, 2011LatviaDEATH 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, 2011IcelandDEATH 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, 2011MaliDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are given in Mali for serious crimes such as assassinations...
Death sentences are given in Mali for serious crimes such as assassinations...
- JANUARY 1, 2011LuxembourgDEATH PENALTY
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
- JANUARY 1, 2011HungaryDEATH 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, 2011IrelandDEATH PENALTY
Ireland abolished the death penalty in 1990.
Ireland abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2011LiechtensteinDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1987.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1987.
- JANUARY 1, 2011IsraelDEATH PENALTY
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
- JANUARY 1, 2011ItalyDEATH 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, 2011LithuaniaDEATH PENALTY
Lithuania abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1998...
Lithuania abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1998...
- JANUARY 1, 2011FranceDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
- JANUARY 1, 2011GabonDEATH PENALTY
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2011HaitiDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Haiti (1987) at Art. 20 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Haiti (1987) at Art. 20 states:
- JANUARY 1, 2011El SalvadorDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in El Salvador in 1983 for all crimes
The death penalty was abolished in El Salvador in 1983 for all crimes
- JANUARY 1, 2011FinlandDEATH PENALTY
Finland abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1949, and for all crimes in 1972.
Finland abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1949, and for all crimes in 1972.