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
- FEBRUARY 3, 2014IndiaDEATH PENALTY
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu was pleased to learn of the judgement of the Supreme Court of India
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu was pleased to learn of the judgement of the Supreme Court of India
JANUARY 21, 2014IndiaDEATH PENALTYINDIA: SC COMMUTES DEATH PENALTY OF 15 CONVICTS DUE TO DELAY, MENTAL ILLNESS
In a landmark and significant judgement, the Supreme Court commuted death penalty of 15 convicts on the
- JANUARY 2, 2014Myanmar (Burma)DEATH PENALTY
MYANMAR COMMUTES DEATH SENTENCES, JAIL TERMS
Myanmar's president commuted the death sentences of some convicts and slashed the jail terms of others
- JANUARY 1, 2014GabonDEATH PENALTY
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2014MoldovaDEATH 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, 2014St. Kitts & NevisDEATH PENALTY
Murder is the only death-qualifiable offence.
Murder is the only death-qualifiable offence.
- JANUARY 1, 2014SyriaDEATH PENALTY
In Syria, capital crimes are: treason; murder...
In Syria, capital crimes are: treason; murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2014KenyaDEATH PENALTY
Murder, treason and armed robbery are capital crimes.
Murder, treason and armed robbery are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2014NigerDEATH 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, 2014MauritaniaDEATH PENALTY
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2014SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
The penal code of Somalia represents an amalgam of various legal systems and traditions.
The penal code of Somalia represents an amalgam of various legal systems and traditions.
- JANUARY 1, 2014MaliDEATH 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, 2014ZambiaDEATH 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, 2014IndiaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for by the Penal Code and by Art. 21 of the Constitution
The death penalty is provided for by the Penal Code and by Art. 21 of the Constitution
- JANUARY 1, 2014UgandaDEATH PENALTY
Uganda’s penal code provides for 15 capital offences
Uganda’s penal code provides for 15 capital offences
- JANUARY 1, 2014TunisiaDEATH 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, 2014TanzaniaDEATH PENALTY
Tanzania still retains the death penalty as one of punishments under...
Tanzania still retains the death penalty as one of punishments under...
- JANUARY 1, 2014AlgeriaDEATH PENALTY
Algeria’s laws prescribe the death penalty for a range of crimes including ordinary crimes.
Algeria’s laws prescribe the death penalty for a range of crimes including ordinary crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2014JamaicaDEATH PENALTY
On the issue of capital punishment, the Jamaica Constitution states...
On the issue of capital punishment, the Jamaica Constitution states...
- JANUARY 1, 2014GuyanaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2014BangladeshDEATH PENALTY
Article 32 of the Constitution provides
Article 32 of the Constitution provides
- JANUARY 1, 2014BotswanaDEATH 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, 2014Myanmar (Burma)DEATH PENALTY
In Myanmar (formerly Burma) capital crimes are: murder
In Myanmar (formerly Burma) capital crimes are: murder
- JANUARY 1, 2014Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person
- JANUARY 1, 2014CameroonDEATH PENALTY
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
- JANUARY 1, 2014GhanaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been in Ghana’s statute books since the inception
The death penalty has been in Ghana’s statute books since the inception
- JANUARY 1, 2014CubaDEATH 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, 2014IndonesiaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is applicable for murder..
The death penalty is applicable for murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2014NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
DECEMBER 25, 2013ZambiaDEATH PENALTYZAMBIA: 100 PRISONERS GET SATA GIFT
Zambia’s President Sata, in a Christmas gesture, released two prisoners and commuted life sentences