The United Nations moratorium on the death penalty
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Since 2007 the General Assembly of the United Nations has adopted at regular intervals a resolution calling on states for a moratorium on executions, with a view to abolishing the death penalty. The resolution is not binding, but every vote measures how many states are willing to support it, and the supporters have grown over time.
Hands Off Cain works on parliaments and governments so that this number grows and so that the vote is followed by decisions at home. This page collects the news on the votes, the co-sponsorships and the positions of individual countries.
Latest news
- JANUARY 1, 2019CroatiaDEATH PENALTY
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2019BeninDEATH PENALTY
On 21 February 2018, the government of Benin commuted the death sentence of all the 14 men to life
On 21 February 2018, the government of Benin commuted the death sentence of all the 14 men to life imprisonment. This is after the decision, by the Constitutional Court of Benin, to abolish the death penalty for all crimes in a 2016 after the entry into
- JANUARY 1, 2019EcuadorDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador at Art. 23 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador at Art. 23 states:
- JANUARY 1, 2019PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1867 and became totally abolitionist in 1976.
Portugal abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1867 and became totally abolitionist in 1976.
- JANUARY 1, 2019United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
The United Kingdom abolished the death penalty for murder on December 18...
The United Kingdom abolished the death penalty for murder on December 18...
- JANUARY 1, 2019PhilippinesDEATH PENALTY
On June 24, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed a law abolishing the death penalty.
On June 24, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed a law abolishing the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2019BrazilDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Brazil said
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Brazil said
- JANUARY 1, 2019AlgeriaDEATH 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, 2019United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is rarely applied in the UAE...
The death penalty is rarely applied in the UAE...
- JANUARY 1, 2019North CarolinaDEATH PENALTY
The method of execution is injection.
The method of execution is injection.
- JANUARY 1, 2019BotswanaDEATH 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, 2019SyriaDEATH PENALTY
In Syria, capital crimes are: treason; murder...
In Syria, capital crimes are: treason; murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2019IllinoisDEATH 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, 2019MadagascarDEATH PENALTY
The last executions in Madagascar were carried out under French colonial rule in 1958.
The last executions in Madagascar were carried out under French colonial rule in 1958.
- JANUARY 1, 2019LiechtensteinDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1987.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1987.
- JANUARY 1, 2019LuxembourgDEATH PENALTY
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
- JANUARY 1, 2019ItalyDEATH PENALTY
Italy became totally abolitionist in 1994, when the death penalty was abolished from the Military Codes.
Italy became totally abolitionist in 1994, when the death penalty was abolished from the Military Codes.
- JANUARY 1, 2019IrelandDEATH PENALTY
Ireland abolished the death penalty in 1990.
Ireland abolished the death penalty in 1990.
DECEMBER 18, 2018United NationsDEATH PENALTYUN: RECORD NUMBER OF COUNTRIES VOTE TO END EXECUTIONS
A record number of UN member states on 17 December 2018 supported at the final vote a key UN General Assembly resolution calling for a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty.
- DECEMBER 13, 2018CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. 6 former governors call on California’s governor to grant clemency to death row prisoners.
USA - California. 6 former governors call on California’s governor to grant clemency to death row prisoners.
- DECEMBER 7, 2018EthiopiaDEATH PENALTY
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- DECEMBER 6, 2018ZimbabweDEATH PENALTY
CONCLUDED THE MISSION OF HANDS OFF CAIN IN ZIMBABWE
Hands Off Cain's mission to Zimbabwe ended in Harare.
- NOVEMBER 29, 2018MaldivesDEATH PENALTY
MALDIVES PLEDGES TO UPHOLD MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
A 65-year moratorium on the death penalty will be maintained by the new administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the foreign ministry announced on 27 November 2018.
NOVEMBER 14, 2018United NationsDEATH PENALTYUN: THIRD COMMITTEE ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON THE MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY
The Third Committee on 13 November 2018 approved the draft resolution on a moratorium on use of the death penalty.
OCTOBER 16, 2018MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: CABINET AGREES ON MORATORIUM OF DEATH SENTENCE FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISTRIBUTOR
The Cabinet has agreed to place a moratorium on the death sentence of Muhammad Lukman, who was sentenced for possessing, processing and distributing medical marijuana (cannabis oil), The Star reported on 12 October 2018.
- OCTOBER 11, 2018WashingtonDEATH PENALTY
USA - Washington. The State Supreme Court unanimously declared the death penalty unconstitutional
USA - Washington. The State Supreme Court unanimously declared the death penalty unconstitutional
- AUGUST 24, 2018BeninDEATH PENALTY
On 21 February 2018, the government of Benin commuted the death sentence of all the 14 men to life
On 21 February 2018, the government of Benin commuted the death sentence of all the 14 men to life imprisonment. This is after the decision, by the Constitutional Court of Benin, to abolish the death penalty for all crimes in a 2016 after the entry into
JULY 11, 2018GambiaDEATH PENALTYGAMBIA: 23 PRISONERS ON DEATH ROW
Gambia government has told the United Nations Human Rights Committee that the country is working on plans to repeal its law enforcing death penalty thus commuting the sentences of those on death row to life sentences.
- JUNE 25, 2018PennsylvaniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Pennsylvania. Report Finds Systemic Flaws, Recommends Major Reforms in Pennsylvania Death Penalty.
USA - Pennsylvania. Report Finds Systemic Flaws, Recommends Major Reforms in Pennsylvania Death Penalty.
- JUNE 19, 2018South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
SOUTH KOREA: PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE SAYS IT MAY REVIEW INTRODUCING MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
The presidential office said it will review a moratorium on the nation’s death penalty system if the state human rights watchdog officially makes a request.