Commutations of sentence and acts of clemency
Archive theme
A death sentence can be turned into a prison sentence by an act of clemency: commutation, pardon, amnesty, remission. These rest with heads of state, courts and clemency boards, and not infrequently arrive within hours of an execution.
For the association they are a concrete front: every commutation is a life, and the countries that grant many of them are often the ones closest to a moratorium in fact. This page collects the news on commutations, pardons and acts of clemency.
Latest news
- JANUARY 1, 2018BotswanaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been on the books in Botswana since its independence from Great Britain in 1966.
The death penalty has been on the books in Botswana since its independence from Great Britain in 1966.
- JANUARY 1, 2018CubaDEATH PENALTY
In April 2013, after ten consecutive years without carrying out executions
In April 2013, after ten consecutive years without carrying out executions
- JANUARY 1, 2018GabonDEATH PENALTY
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2018MaliDEATH 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, 2018MoldovaDEATH 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, 2018St. Kitts & NevisDEATH PENALTY
Murder is the only death-qualifiable offence.
Murder is the only death-qualifiable offence.
- JANUARY 1, 2018SyriaDEATH PENALTY
In Syria, capital crimes are: treason; murder...
In Syria, capital crimes are: treason; murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2018Trinidad & TobagoDEATH PENALTY
The sentence of death is the mandatory punishment for murder in Trinidad and Tobago.
The sentence of death is the mandatory punishment for murder in Trinidad and Tobago.
- JANUARY 1, 2018NigerDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: premeditated murder, torture, aggravated theft, treason and offences against the State. Niger has not imposed the death penalty since 1976.
Capital crimes are: premeditated murder, torture, aggravated theft, treason and offences against the State. Niger has not imposed the death penalty since 1976.
- JANUARY 1, 2018TunisiaDEATH PENALTY
In Tunisian law the death penalty is issued for 21 separate offenses
In Tunisian law the death penalty is issued for 21 separate offenses
- JANUARY 1, 2018EthiopiaDEATH PENALTY
In 2017, Ethiopia became de facto abolitionist, after 10 consecutive year without executions.
In 2017, Ethiopia became de facto abolitionist, after 10 consecutive year without executions.
- JANUARY 1, 2018EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
The Criminal Law and Procedure Act No.67 of 1938, as amended in 1975...
The Criminal Law and Procedure Act No.67 of 1938, as amended in 1975...
- JANUARY 1, 2018ZambiaDEATH PENALTY
The Zambian penal code, section 43, foresees that the death penalty...
The Zambian penal code, section 43, foresees that the death penalty...
- JANUARY 1, 2018TanzaniaDEATH PENALTY
Tanzania still retains the death penalty as one of punishments under...
Tanzania still retains the death penalty as one of punishments under...
- DECEMBER 29, 2017VirginiaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Virginia. Governor Terry McAuliffe has commuted William Joseph Burns's death sentence
USA - Virginia. Governor Terry McAuliffe has commuted William Joseph Burns's death sentence
DECEMBER 21, 2017IndonesiaDEATH PENALTYINDONESIA COURT COMMUTES DEATH PENALTY FOR EX-PRIEST
Indonesia's top court has commuted the death penalty handed down to a former Catholic priest who was accused of killing his lover — a former nun — and her two children more than a decade ago.
- DECEMBER 20, 2017DEATH PENALTY
VIRGINIA (USA): JOSEPH GIARRATANO LEAVES THE PRISON
Joseph Giarratano left the prison today, 38 years after having been sentenced to death for a rape and double murder that lawyers and supporters have long said he did not commit.
- DECEMBER 20, 2017VirginiaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Virginia. Joseph Giarratano left prison today
USA - Virginia. Joseph Giarratano left prison today
- DECEMBER 16, 2017IraqDEATH PENALTY
KURDISH PARLIAMENT ISSUES AMNESTY: CONVICTS ON DEATH ROW GET 15 YEARS IN PRISON
The Kurdistan parliament has decided in a majority vote to issue an amnesty to those on death row, reducing their sentence to a mere 15 years in prison, excluding those convicted of serious criminal charges.
DECEMBER 9, 2017TanzaniaDEATH PENALTYTANZANIA: MAGUFULI GRANTS PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY TO 61 DEATH ROW INMATES
President John Magufuli pardoned some 61 death row inmates.
- NOVEMBER 20, 2017VirginiaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Virginia. Ex Death-Row Prisoner Joseph M. Giarratano Gets Parole
USA - Virginia. Ex Death-Row Prisoner Joseph M. Giarratano Gets Parole
- NOVEMBER 19, 2017DEATH PENALTY
CALIFORNIA (USA): MURDEROUS CULT LEADER CHARLES MANSON DIES AT
Charles Manson has died. He was 83 years old.
- NOVEMBER 19, 2017CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. Charles Manson has died.
USA - California. Charles Manson has died.
NOVEMBER 1, 2017MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: PERAK SULTAN PARDONS TWO DRUG OFFENDERS ON DEATH ROW
Two death row inmates who had an appointment with the gallows have been pardoned by Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and will face a life sentence instead.
- OCTOBER 24, 2017United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
UAE COURT COMMUTES DEATH PENALTY OF FIVE IN MURDER CASE
A Sharjah (UAE) court has commuted the death sentence of five Indians, including four Punjabis, to three-year imprisonment in a murder case.
- OCTOBER 20, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Papua New Guinea: Death row inmates denied full protection of the law
The Court, presided over by Justice David Cannings, has ordered a stay on any execution of prisoners who have been sentenced to death until their rights under the constitution are fully complied with.
OCTOBER 17, 2017PakistanDEATH PENALTYPAKISTAN: AL QAEDA MAN’S DEATH PENALTY COMMUTED
An appellate bench of the Sindh High Court commuted the death penalty of an Al Qaeda militant to life imprisonment.
OCTOBER 12, 2017IndiaDEATH PENALTYINDIA: HIGH COURT REDUCES ’CYANIDE’ MOHAN’S DEATH PENALTY TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
The Karnataka High Court reduced ’Cyanide’ Mohan Kumar’s death penalty to life imprisonment in the rape and murder case of one Anita of Kolimane, Bantwal taluk in 2009.
OCTOBER 10, 2017KenyaDEATH PENALTYKENYA: KAMITI PRISONERS WANT SUPREME COURT TO REMOVE DEATH PENALTY
Inmates at the Kamiti Maximum Prison called on the Supreme Court to rule on the petition seeking determination of the constitutionality of the death sentence.
- OCTOBER 10, 2017ArkansasDEATH PENALTY
USA - Arkansas. Governor Asa Hutchinson has officially commuted the death sentence of Jason McGehee to life without parole.
USA - Arkansas. Governor Asa Hutchinson has officially commuted the death sentence of Jason McGehee to life without parole.