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
- FEBRUARY 17, 2009MontanaDEATH PENALTY
MONTANA (USA): STATE SENATE PASSES DEATH PENALTY BAN
The state Senate has voted 27 to 23 to abolish the death penalty in Montana. Senate Bill 236, sponsored
- FEBRUARY 11, 2009New MexicoDEATH PENALTY
NEW MEXICO (USA): HOUSE VOTES TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY
the New Mexico House of Representatives voted to abolish New Mexico's death
- JANUARY 29, 2009AlgeriaDEATH PENALTY
DEBATE RAGES IN ALGERIA OVER PROPOSED DEATH PENALTY BAN
debate is heating up in Algeria between clerics and human rights activists over a proposed ban on capital punishment in the country.
JANUARY 29, 2009PakistanDEATH PENALTYPAKISTAN: DRAFT TO ANNUL CAPITAL PUNISHMENT SENT TO PRESIDENT
the Pakistani Interior Ministry sent a summary to President Asif Ali Zardari for his
- JANUARY 29, 2009MarylandDEATH PENALTY
USA - Maryland. Gov. Martin O'Malley asked his lawmakers to abolish the death penalty
USA - Maryland. Gov. Martin O'Malley asked his lawmakers to abolish the death penalty
- JANUARY 27, 2009BelarusDEATH PENALTY
BELARUSIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS TO FIGHT AGAINST DEATH PENALTY
A campaign “Human Rights Activists against Death Penalty” has started in Belarus.
- JANUARY 6, 2009AlgeriaDEATH PENALTY
an official of the Popular National Assembly sent laws regarding...
an official of the Popular National Assembly sent laws regarding...
- JANUARY 1, 2009AlbaniaDEATH 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, 2009BurundiDEATH PENALTY
On April 22, 2009, Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza
On April 22, 2009, Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza
- JANUARY 1, 2009AngolaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution approved in 1992 abolished the death penalty.
The Constitution approved in 1992 abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2009PalauDEATH PENALTY
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.
- JANUARY 1, 2009MaliDEATH 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, 2009KyrgyzstanDEATH 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, 2009Solomon IslandsDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
- JANUARY 1, 2009Papua New GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Murder, treason and piracy are capital crimes.
Murder, treason and piracy are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2009EgyptDEATH PENALTY
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2009TogoDEATH 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, 2009FijiDEATH 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, 2009GambiaDEATH 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, 2009MassachusettsDEATH PENALTY
Massachusetts does not have the death penalty
Massachusetts does not have the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2009Vatican 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, 2009MaineDEATH PENALTY
Maine does not have the death penalty, having abolished...
Maine does not have the death penalty, having abolished it in 1887
- JANUARY 1, 2009North DakotaDEATH PENALTY
North Dakota does not have the death penalty
North Dakota does not have the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2009SenegalDEATH 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, 2009HawaiiDEATH 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, 2009MinnesotaDEATH PENALTY
Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911
Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911
- JANUARY 1, 2009West VirginiaDEATH PENALTY
West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965
West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965
- JANUARY 1, 2009TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
On January 8, 2002, Taiwan’s parliament abolished the Act for the Control and Punishment of Banditry...
On January 8, 2002, Taiwan’s parliament abolished the Act for the Control and Punishment of Banditry...
- JANUARY 1, 2009BermudaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in 2000.
The death penalty was abolished in 2000.
- JANUARY 1, 2009New JerseyDEATH PENALTY
USA - New Jersey. Prosecutors had no problemns after the abolition one year ago.
USA - New Jersey. Prosecutors had no problemns after the abolition one year ago.