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 21, 2007MarylandDEATH PENALTYMARYLAND TO REVOKE DEATH PENALTY?
Governor Martin O'Malley testified in favor of ending the state's death penalty law, saying capital
FEBRUARY 13, 2007TunisiaDEATH PENALTYthe Tunisian Social-Liberal Party officially asked for the abolition of the death
the Tunisian Social-Liberal Party officially asked for the abolition of the death
FEBRUARY 12, 2007ItalyDEATH PENALTYDEATH PENALTY. RUSSIA SIGNS THE DECLARATION ON THE MORATORIUM
Russia has signed the "Declaration of Association" on the death penalty that was presented to the UN by the
FEBRUARY 12, 2007DEATH PENALTYNEW MEXICO (USA). HOUSE PASSES DEATH PENALTY REPEAL BILL
the House of Representatives voted to repeal the death penalty in New Mexico on a 41-28 decision.
FEBRUARY 3, 2007ItalyDEATH PENALTYDEATH PENALTY. CAPPATO, 'POSITIVE COMMITENT ON MORATORIUM TAKEN BY WORLD CONGRESS IN PARIS'
“The World Congress Against Death Penalty - in its 3-day Paris assembly which we attended as Hands Off Cain and Nonviolent Radial Party with Marco Pannella, Elisabetta Zamparutti, Marco Perduca, Antonio Stango and Max Rizzo - will end with a demonstration
FEBRUARY 3, 2007Vatican CityDEATH PENALTYVATICAN. POPE’S MESSAGE TO THE WORLD CONGRESS
The Third World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris concluded with a message from Pope
FEBRUARY 1, 2007ItalyDEATH PENALTYEP CALLS FOR UNIVERSAL MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
the European Parliament adopted a joint resolution in favour of a universal moratorium on the death penalty, with 591 votes in favour, 45 against and 31 abstentions.
FEBRUARY 1, 2007MoroccoDEATH PENALTYMOROCCO TO ABOLISH CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Morocco will remove by the end of April the death penalty from its statute books, the president of the state
JANUARY 29, 2007KyrgyzstanDEATH PENALTYKYRGYZSTAN ABOLISHES DEATH PENALTY
the central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan has adopted a new constitution specifically banning all taking of life and lawyers are now drafting revisions to its legal code replacing the maximum criminal sentence of death by firing squad with long prison term
JANUARY 24, 2007ItalyDEATH PENALTYTHE APPEAL BY THE MAYORS OF EUROPE FOR THE MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY
so far, 18 Mayors of European capital cities have signed the Mayor of Rome’s appeal to get the International Community to establish a moratorium on the death penalty as soon as possible, with the ultimate goal being its complete abolition.
JANUARY 19, 2007RwandaDEATH PENALTYRWANDA 'TO SCRAP DEATH PENALTY'
Rwanda's cabinet has voted to scrap the death penalty, Justice Minister Tharcisse Karugarama says.
JANUARY 18, 2007LibyaDEATH PENALTYLIBYA. EU TO REVIEW RELATIONS WITH TRIPOLI OVER MEDICS CASE
The European Union parliament called on member states to reconsider their relations with Libya unless it releases six foreign medics
JANUARY 16, 2007ItalyDEATH PENALTYWRITTEN DECLARATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT FOR A UNIVERSAL MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS
the leaders of all political groups of the European Parliament, with the exception of the extreme right, have signed a declaration for a universal moratorium on capital punishment in view of its abolition.
- JANUARY 10, 2007TaiwanDEATH PENALTY
TAIWAN CONSIDERS ABOLISHING THE DEATH PENALTY
the Taiwanese Ministry of Justice said that it will solicit views from all sectors of society on whether to abolish capital punishment.
JANUARY 9, 2007Council of EuropeDEATH PENALTYCOUNCIL OF EUROPE BACKS ITALY’S CALLS FOR MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS
Italy and the Council of Europe are working together to gather as much support as possible for a United Nations General Assembly based initiative for a worldwide moratorium on executions with view to full abolition of the death penalty.
- JANUARY 4, 2007GreeceDEATH PENALTY
GREECE BACKS ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY
Athens praised an initiative by the Italian government, within the United Nations framework, to abolish the death penalty around the world.
- JANUARY 4, 2007ItalyDEATH PENALTY
ITALY CALLS FOR UNITED EUROPEAN FRONT AGAINST DEATH PENALTY
the Italian government said it will campaign to abolish the death penalty worldwide, using its position as one of 15 UN Security Council members. It wants the European Union to support its efforts.
- JANUARY 1, 2007West VirginiaDEATH PENALTY
West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965
West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965
- JANUARY 1, 2007MinnesotaDEATH PENALTY
Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911
Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911
- JANUARY 1, 2007HawaiiDEATH 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, 2007Sierra 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, 2007KenyaDEATH PENALTY
Murder, treason and armed robbery are capital crimes.
Murder, treason and armed robbery are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2007MaliDEATH 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, 2007Guinea-BissauDEATH PENALTY
Guinea Bissau abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1993.
Guinea Bissau abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1993.
- JANUARY 1, 2007EgyptDEATH PENALTY
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2007GuatemalaDEATH PENALTY
The Guatemalan penal code (1973) provides for the death penalty for parricide...
The Guatemalan penal code (1973) provides for the death penalty for parricide, aggravated homicide and assassination of the President or Vice-President.
- JANUARY 1, 2007RwandaDEATH 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, 2007UzbekistanDEATH PENALTY
With the introduction of law No. 482-II on April 25...
With the introduction of law No. 482-II on April 25...
- JANUARY 1, 2007TaiwanDEATH 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, 2007PalauDEATH PENALTY
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.