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, 2010RomaniaDEATH PENALTY
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2010San 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, 2010NetherlandsDEATH 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, 2010MontenegroDEATH PENALTY
Montenegro is completely abolitionist
Montenegro is completely abolitionist
- JANUARY 1, 2010MozambiqueDEATH 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, 2010NorwayDEATH 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, 2010LithuaniaDEATH PENALTY
Lithuania abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1998...
Lithuania abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1998...
- JANUARY 1, 2010ItalyDEATH 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, 2010MaltaDEATH 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, 2010LatviaDEATH 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, 2010LiechtensteinDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1987.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1987.
- JANUARY 1, 2010MaliDEATH 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, 2010IsraelDEATH PENALTY
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
- JANUARY 1, 2010LuxembourgDEATH PENALTY
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
- JANUARY 1, 2010IcelandDEATH 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, 2010IrelandDEATH PENALTY
Ireland abolished the death penalty in 1990.
Ireland abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2010FranceDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
- JANUARY 1, 2010HaitiDEATH 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, 2010GeorgiaDEATH PENALTY
Georgia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1997.
Georgia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1997.
- JANUARY 1, 2010GermanyDEATH 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, 2010HungaryDEATH 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, 2010GabonDEATH PENALTY
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2010CzechiaDEATH PENALTY
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2010EstoniaDEATH 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, 2010CroatiaDEATH PENALTY
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2010El 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, 2010DenmarkDEATH PENALTY
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
- JANUARY 1, 2010Bosnia & 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, 2010ColombiaDEATH PENALTY
Colombia abolished the death penalty in 1910.
Colombia abolished the death penalty in 1910.
- JANUARY 1, 2010BulgariaDEATH 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.