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, 2018North CarolinaDEATH PENALTY
The method of execution is injection.
The method of execution is injection.
- JANUARY 1, 2018IllinoisDEATH 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, 2018LatviaDEATH PENALTY
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
On 26 January 2012, Latvia ratified Protocol No. 13 to the Convention
- JANUARY 1, 2018ItalyDEATH 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.
- DECEMBER 18, 2017DEATH PENALTY
THE DECADE OF THE UN MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS
statement by Hands off Cain, Arab Organization for Human Rights, Arab Institute for Human Rights and Somali Women Agenda
- DECEMBER 17, 2017DEATH BY PUNISHMENT
GENERAL MOTION OF THE 7TH CONGRESS OF HANDS OFF CAIN
Approved by the Congress
- OCTOBER 10, 2017DEATH PENALTY
HANDS OFF CAIN DEDICATES THE WORLD DAY AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY TO IRAN
October 10 is the World Day Against the Death Penalty and Hands Off Cain dedicates it to Iran, the country that continues to record the largest number of per capita executions in the world.
- OCTOBER 10, 2017United NationsDEATH PENALTY
'THE DEATH PENALTY HAS NO PLACE IN THE 21ST CENTURY' – UN CHIEF GUTERRES
The death penalty does little to deter crimes or serve victims, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, calling on all countries which have not forbidden the extreme practice to urgently stop executions.
- SEPTEMBER 15, 2017DEATH PENALTY
TUNISIA. HANDS OFF CAIN AND THE ARAB INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TOGETHER AGAIN AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
On September 19, 2017, from 9 am at the Golden Tulip ElMechtel Hotel in Tunis, the conference "Containing the death penalty in time of war on terrorism" will be held in the framework of the same project supported by the European Union.
- AUGUST 7, 2017MaldivesDEATH PENALTY
Maldives ready for executions in September, president declares
7 August 2017: the Maldives will be ready to carry out the first executions in more than 60 years next month, President Abdulla Yameen declared amid growing international concern over the reintroduction of the death penalty.
- JUNE 12, 2017LebanonDEATH PENALTY
HRW WARNS LEBANON AGAINST BRINGING BACK DEATH PENALTY
Human Rights Watch has urged Lebanon to respect its moratorium on the death penalty after calls for its reinstatement following the murder of a young student that shocked the country.
MAY 6, 2017BelarusDEATH PENALTYBELARUS: FIRST EXECUTION CARRIED OUT THIS YEAR
Belarus is believed to have carried out its first execution of the year.
- APRIL 26, 2017OklahomaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Oklahoma. Panel recommends keeping moratorium on Oklahoma executions.
USA - Oklahoma. Panel recommends keeping moratorium on Oklahoma executions.
APRIL 12, 2017IndonesiaDEATH PENALTYINDONESIA: GOVT REFUSES TO IMPLEMENT MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo indicated that Indonesia would continue to execute convicts when he confirmed that the government would not implement a moratorium on the death penalty despite mounting calls from human rights groups.
- JANUARY 1, 2017TürkiyeDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been fully abolished by a package of constitutional and legislative amendments.
The death penalty has been fully abolished by a package of constitutional and legislative amendments.
- JANUARY 1, 2017United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is rarely applied in the UAE...
The death penalty is rarely applied in the UAE...
- JANUARY 1, 2017TurkmenistanDEATH PENALTY
On December 29, 1999, the People's Council decided to abolish the death sentence in the country.
On December 29, 1999, the People's Council decided to abolish the death sentence in the country.
- JANUARY 1, 2017UgandaDEATH PENALTY
Uganda’s penal code provides for 15 capital offences
Uganda’s penal code provides for 15 capital offences
- JANUARY 1, 2017TuvaluDEATH PENALTY
No execution has been carried out since independence was declared in 1978.
No execution has been carried out since independence was declared in 1978.
- JANUARY 1, 2017TunisiaDEATH PENALTY
In Tunisian law the death penalty is issued for 21 separate offenses
In Tunisian law the death penalty is issued for 21 separate offenses
- JANUARY 1, 2017UkraineDEATH PENALTY
Ukraine abolished the death penalty in February 2000, with an overwhelming majority vote of the members of the Ukrainian parliament.
Ukraine abolished the death penalty in February 2000, with an overwhelming majority vote of the members of the Ukrainian parliament.
- JANUARY 1, 2017ZimbabweDEATH 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, 2017YemenDEATH PENALTY
Yemen's legal system is based on both Sharia principles and customary law.
Yemen's legal system is based on both Sharia principles and customary law.
- JANUARY 1, 2017TanzaniaDEATH PENALTY
Tanzania still retains the death penalty as one of punishments under...
Tanzania still retains the death penalty as one of punishments under...
- JANUARY 1, 2017UzbekistanDEATH PENALTY
Uzbekistan abolished the death penalty on January 1, 2008.
Uzbekistan abolished the death penalty on January 1, 2008.
- JANUARY 1, 2017UruguayDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (1967) at Art. 26 states: ‘the death penalty shall not be applied to anyone.’
The Constitution of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (1967) at Art. 26 states: ‘the death penalty shall not be applied to anyone.’
- JANUARY 1, 2017VenezuelaDEATH PENALTY
In 1863 Venezuela formally abolished the death penalty, making it the first modern state to do so.
In 1863 Venezuela formally abolished the death penalty, making it the first modern state to do so.
- JANUARY 1, 2017ZambiaDEATH PENALTY
The Zambian penal code, section 43, foresees that the death penalty...
The Zambian penal code, section 43, foresees that the death penalty...
- JANUARY 1, 2017EswatiniDEATH 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, 2017MalawiDEATH 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...