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, 1999BelarusDEATH PENALTY
Reports claim that at least 13 people were sentenced...
Reports claim that at least 13 people were sentenced to death in 1998 after all were convicted of premeditated murder
- JANUARY 1, 1999Bosnia & HerzegovinaDEATH PENALTY
War crimes and genocide are capital crimes
War crimes and genocide are capital crimes
- JANUARY 1, 1999PakistanDEATH PENALTY
In 1997, the Nawaz Sharif Government introduced the...
In 1997, the Nawaz Sharif Government introduced the death penalty for rapists charged with attacking children under 10 years, and said such cases should be tried in the special courts set up under the anti-terrorism laws
- JANUARY 1, 1999Sierra LeoneDEATH PENALTY
Murder, aggravated robbery and treason are capital crimes
Murder, aggravated robbery and treason are capital crimes
- JANUARY 1, 1999United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Capital punishment in America is some sort of idiosyncratic...
Capital punishment in America is some sort of idiosyncratic lottery
- JANUARY 1, 1999United StatesDEATH PENALTY
The results of two new studies underscore the continuing...
The results of two new studies underscore the continuing injustice of racism in the application of the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 1999United StatesDEATH PENALTY
With 84 inmates released from death rows because of...
With 84 inmates released from death rows because of innocence, growing doubts about how the death penalty is applied have prompted some state lawmakers to call for a moratorium on executions to study whether the system is working fairly