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, 2015North CarolinaDEATH PENALTY
The method of execution is injection.
The method of execution is injection.
- JANUARY 1, 2015IllinoisDEATH 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, 2015North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
North Korea denies holding any political prisoners.
North Korea denies holding any political prisoners.
- JANUARY 1, 2015BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
- JANUARY 1, 2015CzechiaDEATH PENALTY
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2015Bosnia & HerzegovinaDEATH PENALTY
With the ratification on July 29, 2003 of the Protocol No 13...
With the ratification on July 29, 2003 of the Protocol No 13...
- JANUARY 1, 2015AustriaDEATH PENALTY
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Republic of Austria at Art. 85 states "The death penalty is abolished."
- JANUARY 1, 2015FranceDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
The death penalty was abolished in France on September 9...
- JANUARY 1, 2015GermanyDEATH 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, 2015CroatiaDEATH PENALTY
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2015EstoniaDEATH 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, 2015South 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
- JANUARY 1, 2015SlovakiaDEATH PENALTY
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2015HungaryDEATH 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, 2015MontenegroDEATH PENALTY
Montenegro is completely abolitionist
Montenegro is completely abolitionist
- JANUARY 1, 2015San 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, 2015IcelandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was officially abolished in Iceland in 1928, but it had not been applied since 1830.
The death penalty was officially abolished in Iceland in 1928, but it had not been applied since 1830.
- JANUARY 1, 2015PortugalDEATH 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, 2015NorwayDEATH 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, 2015ItalyDEATH 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, 2015MaltaDEATH PENALTY
The Maltese Parliament abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes on October 4, 1971.
The Maltese Parliament abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes on October 4, 1971.
- JANUARY 1, 2015LithuaniaDEATH PENALTY
Lithuania abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1998...
Lithuania abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1998...
- JANUARY 1, 2015Guinea-BissauDEATH PENALTY
Guinea Bissau abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1993.
Guinea Bissau abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1993.
- JANUARY 1, 2015SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992.
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992.
- JANUARY 1, 2015SpainDEATH PENALTY
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
- JANUARY 1, 2015MozambiqueDEATH 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, 2015BurundiDEATH PENALTY
On April 22, 2009, Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza promulgated the new criminal code
On April 22, 2009, Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza promulgated the new criminal code which abolishes the death penalty but makes homosexuality a crime punishable by jail.
- JANUARY 1, 2015UkraineDEATH 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.
DECEMBER 25, 2014PakistanDEATH PENALTYPAKISTAN: BAN KI-MOON URGED NAWAZ SHARIF TO HALT EXECUTIONS
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Pakistan to end capital punishment and restore a moratorium
DECEMBER 22, 2014ThailandDEATH PENALTYTHAILAND: MINISTRY OF JUSTICE LOOKS TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY
a senior official said Thailand may abolish the death penalty in the near future.