Executions
Archive theme
An execution is the act by which a state puts a condemned person to death. Hands Off Cain records the cases documented by public sources: press agencies, local newspapers, human rights organisations, official statements. The figure that results is a confirmed minimum, not an estimate of the real total: several states publish no data on executions, and in some countries they are not announced even to the families.
This page collects the news on the executions recorded by the association. The totals by country and by year are in the database.
Latest news
JANUARY 11, 2012MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: MURDER TRIO TO HANG
Three men's five years of freedom came to an end today when their acquittal on a charge of murdering
- JANUARY 11, 2012OhioDEATH PENALTY
USA - Ohio. U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Frost delayed next week’s execution of Charles Lorraine, saying the state had once again failed to follow its own rules for executions
USA - Ohio. U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Frost delayed next week’s execution of Charles Lorraine, saying the state had once again failed to follow its own rules for executions
JANUARY 10, 2012SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: KENYAN STONED TO DEATH BY AL-SHABAAB
Kenyan fighting for the Al-Shabaab was executed by the Somali militant group for alleged espionage.
JANUARY 8, 2012Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: MAN BEHEADED FOR MURDER
Saudi Arabia beheaded a man convicted of murder, the interior minister said in a statement
JANUARY 8, 2012DEATH PENALTYIRAN: AT LEAST 41 EXECUTIONS IN THE FIRST WEEK OF 2012
The new year also began with a series of mass executions in Iran.
- JANUARY 6, 2012DEATH PENALTY
US PHARMACEUTICAL FIRM HOSPIRA UNDER FIRE OVER USE OF ITS DRUGS IN EXECUTIONS
Doctors from around the world call on Hospira to impose restrictions on sale of muscle relaxant
- JANUARY 6, 2012United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - Doctors from around the world call on Hospira to impose restrictions on sale of muscle relaxant for use in lethal injections.
USA - Doctors from around the world call on Hospira to impose restrictions on sale of muscle relaxant for use in lethal injections.
- JANUARY 5, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
three prisoners were hanged publicly in the Azadi (Liberty) Square of Kermanshah
three prisoners were hanged publicly in the Azadi (Liberty) Square of Kermanshah
- JANUARY 5, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
one man was hanged in the prison of Varamin
one man was hanged in the prison of Varamin
- JANUARY 5, 2012OklahomaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Oklahoma. Gary Roland Welch, 49, white, was put to death
USA - Oklahoma. Gary Roland Welch, 49, white, was put to death
- JANUARY 4, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
five prisoners were hanged in the prison of Zanjan for drug trafficking
five prisoners were hanged in the prison of Zanjan for drug trafficking
- JANUARY 4, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
one prisoner was hanged in the central prison of Semnan
one prisoner was hanged in the central prison of Semnan
- JANUARY 4, 2012IranDEATH PENALTY
five narcotics traffickers were hanged in the Kerman and Bam prisons
five narcotics traffickers were hanged in the Kerman and Bam prisons
JANUARY 4, 2012Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: MAN BEHEADED FOR KILLING
A man convicted in Saudi Arabia of raping and killing a young female relative was beheaded
JANUARY 3, 2012IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: 25 PRISONERS HANGED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
At least 25 prisoners have been executed in Iran in the past two days, official and unofficial
- 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, 2012LebanonDEATH PENALTY
Lebanon reinstated the death penalty in 1994 in a bid to stem a rise in violent crime following the 1975-90 civil war.
Lebanon reinstated the death penalty in 1994 in a bid to stem a rise in violent crime following the 1975-90 civil war.
- JANUARY 1, 2012BelarusDEATH PENALTY
Article 24 of the constitution reads that
Article 24 of the constitution reads that "the death penalty...
- JANUARY 1, 2012MalawiDEATH PENALTY
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are murder...
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2012GhanaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been in Ghana’s statute books...
The death penalty has been in Ghana’s statute books since the inception of English common law in the country in 1874.
- JANUARY 1, 2012GambiaDEATH 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, 2012SurinameDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder premeditated murder and treason are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder premeditated murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2012CubaDEATH 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, 2012GuatemalaDEATH 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, 2012Equatorial GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2012Papua New GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Murder, treason and piracy are capital crimes.
Murder, treason and piracy are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2012Congo - 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, 2012IllinoisDEATH PENALTY
On March 9, 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn abolished the death penalty
On March 9, 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn abolished the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2012ChinaDEATH PENALTY
A revised Criminal Procedure Law came into force in January 1997
A revised Criminal Procedure Law came into force in January 1997
- JANUARY 1, 2012VietnamDEATH PENALTY
Vietnam applies the death penalty for 29 different crimes.
Vietnam applies the death penalty for 29 different crimes.