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, 2016RussiaDEATH 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, 2016TunisiaDEATH 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, 2016HungaryDEATH PENALTY
Hungary has been abolitionist since 1990, following a decision by the Constitutional Court.
Hungary has been abolitionist since 1990, following a decision by the Constitutional Court.
- JANUARY 1, 2016RomaniaDEATH PENALTY
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2016DenmarkDEATH PENALTY
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
- JANUARY 1, 2016FranceDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
- JANUARY 1, 2016CzechiaDEATH PENALTY
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2016UkraineDEATH 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, 2016EstoniaDEATH PENALTY
Estonia abolished the death penalty for all crimes on May 13, 1998.
Estonia abolished the death penalty for all crimes on May 13, 1998.
- JANUARY 1, 2016GambiaDEATH 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, 2016FinlandDEATH PENALTY
Finland abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1949, and for all crimes in 1972.
Finland abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1949, and for all crimes in 1972.
- JANUARY 1, 2016GabonDEATH PENALTY
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
In February, 2010, Gabon completely abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2016GeorgiaDEATH PENALTY
Georgia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1997.
Georgia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1997.
- JANUARY 1, 2016SerbiaDEATH PENALTY
Serbia abolished the death penalty for all crimes on February 26, 2002
Serbia abolished the death penalty for all crimes on February 26, 2002
- JANUARY 1, 2016San MarinoDEATH PENALTY
San Marino abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1848 and fully abolished it in 1865.
San Marino abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1848 and fully abolished it in 1865.
- JANUARY 1, 2016SenegalDEATH PENALTY
On December 10, 2004 Senegal’s National Assembly, with a resounding majority, voted to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.
On December 10, 2004 Senegal’s National Assembly, with a resounding majority, voted to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2016GermanyDEATH PENALTY
The Federal Republic of Germany abolished the death penalty in 1949.
The Federal Republic of Germany abolished the death penalty in 1949.
- JANUARY 1, 2016BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
- DECEMBER 21, 2015DEATH PENALTY
PENNSYLVANIA (USA): SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS GOVERNOR'S MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS
In a unanimous decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld Gov. Tom Wolf's imposition of a
- DECEMBER 21, 2015PennsylvaniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Unanimously Upholds Governor's Moratorium on Executions.
USA - Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Unanimously Upholds Governor's Moratorium on Executions.
- OCTOBER 26, 2015OklahomaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Oklahoma. Oklahomans give 67% support to death penalty, poll finds.
USA - Oklahoma. Oklahomans give 67% support to death penalty, poll finds.
- OCTOBER 7, 2015DEATH PENALTY
PENNSYLVANIA (USA): GOV. TOM WOLF HALTS EXECUTION OF MICHAEL ERIC BALLARD
Gov. Tom Wolf halted the scheduled execution of Michael Eric Ballard under a moratorium the governor has declared on capital punishment in the state.
- OCTOBER 7, 2015PennsylvaniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Pennsylvania. Gov. Tom Wolf halted the scheduled execution of Michael Eric Ballard
USA - Pennsylvania. Gov. Tom Wolf halted the scheduled execution of Michael Eric Ballard
OCTOBER 6, 2015Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA WILL NOT IMPLEMENT DEATH PENALTY FOR NOW - JUSTICE MINISTER
Sri Lanka will not implement the death penalty temporarily as the country has decided to vote in favor of a UN resolution for moratorium on death penalty in 2015, Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapaksha said in parliament.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2015DEATH PENALTYPAKISTAN: 220 PRISONERS EXECUTED SINCE THE DE FACTO BAN ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ENDED ON DECEMBER 2014
At least 9 prisoners were hanged in Pakistan in the last three weeks.
AUGUST 28, 2015IndiaDEATH PENALTYINDIA: LAW PANEL DRAFT PAPER FAVOURS ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY
The Law Commission is set to recommend abolition of death penalty in India except for terror convicts,
AUGUST 26, 2015IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: EU CALLS ON KURDISTAN TO REINSTATE MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
the European Union called on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to re-instate a moratorium on
- JULY 31, 2015DEATH PENALTY
HANDS OFF CAIN 2015 REPORT
The worldwide trend towards abolition, underway for more than fifteen years, was again confirmed in 2014 and the first six months of 2015.
- JULY 28, 2015PakistanDEATH PENALTY
PAKISTAN: THREE MURDER CONVICTS HANGED
Three murder convicts were hanged in Pakistan between July 27 and 28 as executions resumed following a one-month break during the holy month of Ramazan that ended last week.
- JUNE 11, 2015PakistanDEATH PENALTY
EU DEMANDS PAKISTAN TO REINSTATE MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
The European Union demanded the Pakistani government to reinstate moratorium on death penalty to fully respect all of its international obligations.