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
- JUNE 18, 2018South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
KOREA PUSHING FOR OFFICIAL DECLARATION ON ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY
South Korea is pushing for a presidential declaration on the abolition of capital punishment, the state human rights watchdog said,
- APRIL 9, 2018Côte d’IvoireDEATH PENALTY
IVORY COAST: AFRICAN REGIONAL CONGRESS AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
The work of the 3rd African Regional Congress Against the Death Penalty has been opened in Abidjan, in Côte d'Ivoire.
- FEBRUARY 18, 2018GambiaDEATH PENALTY
GAMBIA ANNOUNCES ‘MORATORIUM’ ON DEATH PENALTY
Gambian President Adama Barrow announced a suspension of the death penalty in his country, in a break from the former regime of the dictator Yahya Jammeh.
- FEBRUARY 8, 2018RussiaDEATH PENALTY
the independent public opinion research center Levada reported that its latest poll had uncovered a major split in the
the independent public opinion research center Levada reported that its latest poll had uncovered a major split in the
- JANUARY 1, 2018Antigua & BarbudaDEATH PENALTY
Murder is a capital crime.
Murder is a capital crime.
- JANUARY 1, 2018EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
The Criminal Law and Procedure Act No.67 of 1938, as amended in 1975...
The Criminal Law and Procedure Act No.67 of 1938, as amended in 1975...
- JANUARY 1, 2018QatarDEATH PENALTY
Since March 2013, after ten consecutive years without executions...
Since March 2013, after ten consecutive years without executions...
- JANUARY 1, 2018MoroccoDEATH PENALTY
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2018KenyaDEATH PENALTY
the mandatory death sentence is no longer lawful in Kenya
the mandatory death sentence is no longer lawful in Kenya
- JANUARY 1, 2018GhanaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been in Ghana’s statute books since the inception
The death penalty has been in Ghana’s statute books since the inception
- JANUARY 1, 2018NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
- JANUARY 1, 2018PhilippinesDEATH 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, 2018ZimbabweDEATH PENALTY
After independence from Britain in 1980, there were nine offences which warranted
After independence from Britain in 1980, there were nine offences which warranted
- JANUARY 1, 2018United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is rarely applied in the UAE...
The death penalty is rarely applied in the UAE...
- JANUARY 1, 2018Palestinian TerritoriesDEATH PENALTY
On 29 November 2012, the General Assembly voted to grant
On 29 November 2012, the General Assembly voted to grant
- JANUARY 1, 2018SudanDEATH PENALTY
The 1991 penal code based on Sharia law prescribes both the death penalty and corporal punishment.
The 1991 penal code based on Sharia law prescribes both the death penalty and corporal punishment.
- JANUARY 1, 2018MauritaniaDEATH PENALTY
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2018LibyaDEATH PENALTY
Under the penal code in force at the time of Gaddafi...
Under the penal code in force at the time of Gaddafi...
- JANUARY 1, 2018Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law
- JANUARY 1, 2018SingaporeDEATH 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, 2018LaosDEATH 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, 2018CameroonDEATH PENALTY
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
- JANUARY 1, 2018JordanDEATH PENALTY
The legal system in Jordan is based on Islamic law
The legal system in Jordan is based on Islamic law
- JANUARY 1, 2018AlgeriaDEATH 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, 2018EgyptDEATH PENALTY
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2018AfghanistanDEATH 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, 2018BahrainDEATH PENALTY
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must
- JANUARY 1, 2018North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
North Korea denies holding any political prisoners.
North Korea denies holding any political prisoners.
- JANUARY 1, 2018IranDEATH PENALTY
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
- JANUARY 1, 2018South SudanDEATH PENALTY
The Republic of South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011
The Republic of South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011