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, 2011TogoDEATH 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, 2011BurundiDEATH 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, 2011Papua New GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Murder, treason and piracy are capital crimes.
Murder, treason and piracy are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2011FijiDEATH 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, 2011LiberiaDEATH PENALTY
On July 15, 2008, the Liberian Senate adopted...
On July 15, 2008, the Liberian Senate adopted a law introducing the death penalty for homicides committed during acts of armed robbery, terrorism or hijacking, confirming a May 7 vote of the Chamber of Representatives. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who
- JANUARY 1, 2011SenegalDEATH 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, 2011GambiaDEATH PENALTY
In Gambia, the death penalty was abolished in 1993, but re-established in August 1995 by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council.
In Gambia, the death penalty was abolished in 1993, but re-established in August 1995 by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council.
- JANUARY 1, 2011Sierra LeoneDEATH PENALTY
In Sierra Leone murder, aggravated robbery and treason are capital crimes.
In Sierra Leone murder, aggravated robbery and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2011BelarusDEATH PENALTY
Article 24 of the constitution reads that
Article 24 of the constitution reads that "the death penalty...
- JANUARY 1, 2011Solomon IslandsDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
- JANUARY 1, 2011New JerseyDEATH PENALTY
The method of execution is injection.
The method of execution is injection.
- JANUARY 1, 2011ChinaDEATH PENALTY
A revised Criminal Procedure Law came into force in January 1997
A revised Criminal Procedure Law came into force in January 1997
- JANUARY 1, 2011EgyptDEATH PENALTY
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2011UzbekistanDEATH PENALTY
Uzbekistan abolished the death penalty on January 1, 2008.
Uzbekistan abolished the death penalty on January 1, 2008.
- JANUARY 1, 2011RussiaDEATH PENALTY
Russia is committed to abolishing the death penalty as a member of the Council of Europe
Russia is committed to abolishing the death penalty as a member of the Council of Europe
- JANUARY 1, 2011PeruDEATH PENALTY
Peru has been abolitionist for common crimes since 1979, when the last execution was held.
Peru has been abolitionist for common crimes since 1979, when the last execution was held.
- JANUARY 1, 2011AzerbaijanDEATH PENALTY
Parliament voted for abolition on February 10, 1998 following an initiative by President Ilham Aliyev in January 1998.
Parliament voted for abolition on February 10, 1998 following an initiative by President Ilham Aliyev in January 1998.
- JANUARY 1, 2011VenezuelaDEATH PENALTY
In 1863 Venezuela formally abolished the death penalty, making it the first modern state to do so.
In 1863 Venezuela formally abolished the death penalty, making it the first modern state to do so.
- JANUARY 1, 2011UkraineDEATH PENALTY
Ukraine abolished the death penalty in February 2000, with an overwhelming majority vote of the members of the Ukrainian parliament.
Ukraine abolished the death penalty in February 2000, with an overwhelming majority vote of the members of the Ukrainian parliament.
- JANUARY 1, 2011PalauDEATH PENALTY
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.
- JANUARY 1, 2011KyrgyzstanDEATH PENALTY
On June 27, 2007 Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev...
On June 27, 2007 Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed legislation amending Kyrgyzstan's criminal codes and abolishing the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2011United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
The United Kingdom abolished the death penalty for murder on December 18...
The United Kingdom abolished the death penalty for murder on December 18...
- JANUARY 1, 2011SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992.
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992.
- JANUARY 1, 2011SerbiaDEATH PENALTY
Serbia abolished the death penalty for all crimes on February 26, 2002
Serbia abolished the death penalty for all crimes on February 26, 2002
- JANUARY 1, 2011TürkiyeDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been fully abolished by a package of constitutional and legislative amendments.
The death penalty has been fully abolished by a package of constitutional and legislative amendments.
- JANUARY 1, 2011SwedenDEATH PENALTY
Sweden abolished capital punishment for ordinary crimes in 1921 and has been abolitionist for all crimes since 1972.
Sweden abolished capital punishment for ordinary crimes in 1921 and has been abolitionist for all crimes since 1972.
DECEMBER 19, 2010JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: 1,800 RALLY IN TOKYO AGAINST DEATH PENALTY
More than 1,800 people called for the abolition of the death penalty
- DECEMBER 16, 2010NigerDEATH PENALTY
the national consultative Council of Niger (CCN, the transitional parliament), in an extraordinary session...
the national consultative Council of Niger (CCN, the transitional parliament), in an extraordinary session...
- DECEMBER 10, 2010ItalyDEATH PENALTY
GHANA: HANDS OFF CAIN MISSION FOR ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY CONCLUDES
the Hands Off Cain mission for the abolition of the death penalty in Ghana concluded. The mission was also to convince the country to vote favourably for the pro moratorium resolution in discussion at the United Nations.
- DECEMBER 9, 2010ItalyDEATH PENALTY
GHANA: HANDS OFF CAIN MISSION FOR DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION
After the missions in Zambia, Mali and Congo-Brazaville, the Hands Off Cain campaign for the abolition of the death penalty in Africa continues in Ghana.