Death sentences
Archive theme
A death sentence is not the same thing as an execution: years can pass between the two, and the sentence may be overturned on appeal, commuted, or never carried out. Counting them separately measures two different things: how far a state resorts to capital punishment, and how far it actually applies it.
This page collects the news on death sentences handed down around the world, on the later stages of appeal, and on the sentences upheld or overturned. Executions have a page of their own.
Latest news
- JANUARY 1, 2012AlgeriaDEATH 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, 2012Guinea-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, 2012MaliDEATH 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, 2012Burkina FasoDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: treason or espionage in wartime (Art. 89);
Capital crimes are: treason or espionage in wartime (Art. 89);
- JANUARY 1, 2012Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person...
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person...
- JANUARY 1, 2012IraqDEATH PENALTY
On April 9, 2003 Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime was overthrown by a US-led military coalition.
On April 9, 2003 Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime was overthrown by a US-led military coalition.
- JANUARY 1, 2012IndonesiaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is applicable for murder..
The death penalty is applicable for murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
Offences punishable by death include:
Offences punishable by death include:
- JANUARY 1, 2012AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
The 2004 Afghan Constitution, in article 23 asserts the right to life...
The 2004 Afghan Constitution, in article 23 asserts the right to life...
- JANUARY 1, 2012Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law that prescribes the death sentence for murder...
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law that prescribes the death sentence for murder, apostasy, rape, drug trafficking, highway robbery, sabotage and armed robbery.
- JANUARY 1, 2012MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2012SingaporeDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, treason, offences against the President, illegal possession of arms, kidnapping and causing an innocent person to be executed by bearing false witness.
Capital crimes are: murder, treason, offences against the President, illegal possession of arms, kidnapping and causing an innocent person to be executed by bearing false witness.
- JANUARY 1, 2012BahamasDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder. Treason and piracy are also capital crimes.
The death penalty is mandatory for murder. Treason and piracy are also capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2012Trinidad & 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, 2012United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Of the 50 states that make up the United States of America, 38 have the death penalty.
Of the 50 states that make up the United States of America, 38 have the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2012EgyptDEATH PENALTY
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2012SudanDEATH PENALTY
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
- JANUARY 1, 2012BotswanaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been in force in Botswana since the country became independent in 1966.
The death penalty has been in force in Botswana since the country became independent in 1966.
- JANUARY 1, 2012LaosDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty in Laos is applied in cases of treason, murder and rape
The death penalty in Laos is applied in cases of treason, murder and rape
- DECEMBER 31, 2011MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
in Malaysia, Justice Mohd Yazid Mustaffa sentenced interior designer
in Malaysia, Justice Mohd Yazid Mustaffa sentenced interior designer
- DECEMBER 30, 2011VietnamDEATH PENALTY
VIETNAM: FIVE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR TRADING HEROIN
A Ho Chi Minh City court sentenced five men to death for joining a 14-strong gang to
- DECEMBER 29, 2011ChinaDEATH PENALTY
a court in the southern city of Shenzhen, in China
a court in the southern city of Shenzhen, in China
DECEMBER 29, 2011ChinaDEATH PENALTYCHINA: 12 PEOPLE EXECUTED IN SINGLE DAY
China has executed 12 people in a single day, including a man who bombed a local tax office
- DECEMBER 28, 2011IndonesiaDEATH PENALTY
an woman was sentenced to death, in Indonesia
an woman was sentenced to death, in Indonesia
- DECEMBER 27, 2011ChinaDEATH PENALTY
CHINA: TWO INVOLVED IN DRUG-RELATED CRIMES SENTENCED TO DEATH
Two local courts in China have sentenced to death two men on charges of trafficking and manufacturing
DECEMBER 27, 2011ZambiaDEATH PENALTYZAMBIA: 279 INMATES ON DEATH ROW
the number of inmates on death row at Mukobeko Maximum Security Prison, Zambia, has swelled
- DECEMBER 23, 2011IndiaDEATH PENALTY
INDIA: MP MAN GETS DEATH PENALTY FOR KILLING PARENTS, NEPHEW
Shyam Singh, alias Bhima, was sentenced to death by First Class Additional Sessions Judge Mahesh Bhadkariya for killing his father Suram, mother Sahoda Bai and nephew Amans when his parents refused to give him money to buy liquor.
- DECEMBER 22, 2011BangladeshDEATH PENALTY
BANGLADESH: FOUR TO DIE FOR KILLING IMAM
a speedy trial tribunal in Bangladesh sentenced Abdur Rahim Sarder, 43, Mohamad Qazi Baizid, 42, Murad Hossain, 45, and Ikram alias Masud, 45, to death for murdering Ramna Police Station mosque imam Maulana Mohammad Ishaq on December 29, 2010. Masud was s
- DECEMBER 19, 2011AlabamaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Alabama. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned the death sentence of Billy Joe Magwood
USA - Alabama. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned the death sentence of Billy Joe Magwood
- DECEMBER 14, 2011TexasDEATH PENALTY
USA - Texas. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ordered to review the death penalty cases of Steven Butler and John Matamoros
USA - Texas. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ordered to review the death penalty cases of Steven Butler and John Matamoros