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, 2006AfghanistanDEATH 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, 2006MauritaniaDEATH PENALTY
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2006MaliDEATH 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, 2006Guinea-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, 2006GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
- JANUARY 1, 2006Equatorial GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2006Burkina FasoDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: treason or espionage in wartime (Art. 89);
Capital crimes are: treason or espionage in wartime (Art. 89);
- JANUARY 1, 2006AlgeriaDEATH 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, 2006Congo - KinshasaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, treason...
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, treason, spying, political and military offences and genocide.
- JANUARY 1, 2006Sierra 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, 2006GambiaDEATH PENALTY
In Gambia, the death penalty was abolished in 1993, but re-established in August 1995 by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council.
In Gambia, the death penalty was abolished in 1993, but re-established in August 1995 by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council.
- JANUARY 1, 2006IndonesiaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is applicable for murder..
The death penalty is applicable for murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2006LaosDEATH 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
- JANUARY 1, 2006SingaporeDEATH 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, 2006Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person to be executed by bearing false witness, offences against the State, economic offences, drug offences and arms trading.
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person to be executed by bearing false witness, offences against the State, economic offences, drug offences and arms trading.
- JANUARY 1, 2006CubaDEATH PENALTY
The Penal Code presently in force provides for the death penalty for 112 offences, 33 of which are common crimes.
The Penal Code presently in force provides for the death penalty for 112 offences, 33 of which are common crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2006EgyptDEATH PENALTY
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2006Trinidad & 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, 2006BahamasDEATH 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, 2006BotswanaDEATH 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, 2006GuatemalaDEATH 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, 2006SudanDEATH PENALTY
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
- JANUARY 1, 2006BangladeshDEATH PENALTY
Bangladesh applies the death penalty for such crimes as murder, sedition and drug-trafficking.
Bangladesh applies the death penalty for such crimes as murder, sedition and drug-trafficking.
- JANUARY 1, 2006IranDEATH PENALTY
Offences punishable by death include:
Offences punishable by death include:
- DECEMBER 30, 2005VietnamDEATH PENALTY
VIETNAM. 8 PEOPLE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
the People's Court of southern Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, handed down death penalties to eight local people involved in a transnational drug trafficking ring.
- DECEMBER 30, 2005ChinaDEATH PENALTY
CHINA. GUANGZHOU MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR FRAUD
the Guangzhou Intermediate Court sentenced Wang Risheng to death with a two-year reprieve for fraud. The court said Wang was the mastermind behind a scam in which more than 2,000 people were swindled out of 110 million yuan (US$12.4 million).
- DECEMBER 29, 2005IndiaDEATH PENALTY
INDIA. BOMBAY HIGH COURT SENTENCES DOCTOR TO DEATH FOR MURDER
the Mumbai High Court, India, sentenced a doctor to death for murdering two people after falsely promising to help them emigrate to the United States.
- DECEMBER 29, 2005JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN. NO. OF DEATH ROW INMATES HITS 78, SIGN OF TOUGHENING PENALTIES
it was reported that the number of inmates in Japan whose death sentences had been finalized stood at 78, the largest in 37 years.
- DECEMBER 27, 2005BelarusDEATH PENALTY
BELARUS. TWO LEADERS OF THE "KRICHEV GANG" SENTENCED TO BE SHOT
Oleg Potapenko and Vyacheslav Knyazkov, two leaders of a gang that “terrorized the Mogilyov region” between 2001 and 2004, were sentenced to death in Belarus.
- DECEMBER 27, 2005BelarusDEATH PENALTY
Petr P. Korablev was sentenced to death, in Belarus.
Petr P. Korablev was sentenced to death, in Belarus.