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 26, 2008ChinaDEATH PENALTY
CHINA. OPEN LETTER TO THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS
the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and the Anti-Death Penalty Asia
- FEBRUARY 26, 2008SudanDEATH PENALTY
the Sudanese judiciary revealed that it had received a memorandum through the
the Sudanese judiciary revealed that it had received a memorandum through the
- FEBRUARY 20, 2008RussiaDEATH PENALTY
RUSSIA. BILL ON ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY SUBMITTED TO DUMA
the Russian State Duma's Legislation Committee submitted a
- JANUARY 22, 2008RussiaDEATH PENALTY
RUSSIA. IT IS NOT TIME TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY - MP
Western Europe should not expect Russia to abolish the death penalty in the near
- JANUARY 17, 2008RussiaDEATH PENALTY
RUSSIAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS INSIST ON ABOLISHING DEATH PENALTY IN RUSSIA
Lev Ponomaryov, a veteran human rights activist and the leader of the movement For Human Rights...
- JANUARY 11, 2008Sierra LeoneDEATH PENALTY
SIERRA LEONE. COMMISSION RECOMMENDS ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY
The Constitutional Review Commission of Sierra Leone, has among
- JANUARY 4, 2008UzbekistanDEATH PENALTY
EU WELCOMES UZBEKISTAN'S ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY
the European Union praised Uzbekistan for abolishing the death
- JANUARY 3, 2008UzbekistanDEATH PENALTY
EU PRESIDENCY WELCOMES UZBEKISTAN'S ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY
the Slovenian EU presidency welcomed the abolition of the death penalty in Uzbekistan and congratulated its government and people on the decision that came into effect on 1 January 2008.
- JANUARY 1, 2008LatviaDEATH 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, 2008HungaryDEATH 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, 2008MaltaDEATH 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, 2008RomaniaDEATH PENALTY
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2008NetherlandsDEATH 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, 2008MoldovaDEATH 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, 2008NorwayDEATH 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, 2008PolandDEATH 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, 2008LuxembourgDEATH PENALTY
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
- JANUARY 1, 2008TürkiyeDEATH 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, 2008SloveniaDEATH PENALTY
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2008SlovakiaDEATH PENALTY
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2008San 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, 2008UkraineDEATH 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, 2008SpainDEATH PENALTY
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
- JANUARY 1, 2008SwitzerlandDEATH 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, 2008SwedenDEATH 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.
- JANUARY 1, 2008RussiaDEATH 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, 2008United 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, 2008IsraelDEATH PENALTY
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
- JANUARY 1, 2008AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
- JANUARY 1, 2008Solomon IslandsDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.