The United Nations moratorium on the death penalty
Archive theme
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, 2017MauritiusDEATH PENALTY
Mauritius has been abolitionist since 1995 when the Death Penalty Act...
Mauritius has been abolitionist since 1995 when the Death Penalty Act...
- JANUARY 1, 2017LebanonDEATH 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, 2017Marshall IslandsDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Marshall Islands (1979) under Section 6(1) states
The Constitution of the Republic of Marshall Islands (1979) under Section 6(1) states
- JANUARY 1, 2017MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2017MauritaniaDEATH PENALTY
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2017MicronesiaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia (1980) at Article 4, Section 9, states:
The Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia (1980) at Article 4, Section 9, states: "capital punishment is prohibited."
- JANUARY 1, 2017NetherlandsDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (1983) at Art. 114 states:
The Constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (1983) at Art. 114 states: "Capital punishment may not be imposed.
- JANUARY 1, 2017MontenegroDEATH PENALTY
Montenegro is completely abolitionist
Montenegro is completely abolitionist
- JANUARY 1, 2017MongoliaDEATH PENALTY
On 3 December 2015, Mongolia’s parliament voted in favour of a new Criminal Code
On 3 December 2015, Mongolia’s parliament voted in favour of a new Criminal Code that abolishes the death penalty for all crimes
- JANUARY 1, 2017NauruDEATH PENALTY
No one has been put to death since independence in 1968.
No one has been put to death since independence in 1968.
- JANUARY 1, 2017MozambiqueDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique (1990) at Art. 70 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique (1990) at Art. 70 states: "1. All citizens shall have the right to life.
- JANUARY 1, 2017MonacoDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Principality of Monaco of December 17, 1962 states:
The Constitution of the Principality of Monaco of December 17, 1962 states: "The death penalty is abolished."
- JANUARY 1, 2017MoroccoDEATH PENALTY
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2017NigeriaDEATH 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, 2017OmanDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for under the penal laws of the Sultanate of Oman, which make reference to Sharia law.
The death penalty is provided for under the penal laws of the Sultanate of Oman, which make reference to Sharia law.
- JANUARY 1, 2017PakistanDEATH PENALTY
Pakistan sanctions the death penalty for 27 offences
Pakistan sanctions the death penalty for 27 offences
- JANUARY 1, 2017NorwayDEATH PENALTY
Abolitionist for common crimes since 1905, Norway has been fully abolitionist since 1979.
Abolitionist for common crimes since 1905, Norway has been fully abolitionist since 1979.
- JANUARY 1, 2017PanamaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Panama (1972) at Art. 3 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Panama (1972) at Art. 3 states: "There is no death penalty."
- JANUARY 1, 2017PalauDEATH PENALTY
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.
- JANUARY 1, 2017NicaraguaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Nicaragua (1987) at Art. 23 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Nicaragua (1987) at Art. 23 states: "The right to life is inviolable
- JANUARY 1, 2017NigerDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: premeditated murder, torture, aggravated theft, treason and offences against the State. Niger has not imposed the death penalty since 1976.
Capital crimes are: premeditated murder, torture, aggravated theft, treason and offences against the State. Niger has not imposed the death penalty since 1976.
- JANUARY 1, 2017MoldovaDEATH PENALTY
Moldova abolished the death penalty for all crimes in December 1995...
Moldova abolished the death penalty for all crimes in December 1995 but the Constitution retains it for crimes committed during war or with an inevitable threat of war.
- JANUARY 1, 2017PhilippinesDEATH 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, 2017QatarDEATH PENALTY
Since March 2013, after ten consecutive years without executions...
Since March 2013, after ten consecutive years without executions...
- JANUARY 1, 2017PolandDEATH PENALTY
Poland abolished the death penalty in 1997 and a penal code introduced in 1998 replaced it with life imprisonment.
Poland abolished the death penalty in 1997 and a penal code introduced in 1998 replaced it with life imprisonment.
- JANUARY 1, 2017PortugalDEATH 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, 2017RomaniaDEATH PENALTY
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2017ParaguayDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of Paraguay (1992) at Art. 4,
The Constitution of Paraguay (1992) at Art. 4, "The Right to life," states in part: "The death penalty is abolished."
- JANUARY 1, 2017RussiaDEATH PENALTY
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
- JANUARY 1, 2017PeruDEATH PENALTY
Peru has been abolitionist for common crimes since 1979, when the last execution was held.
Peru has been abolitionist for common crimes since 1979, when the last execution was held.