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, 2014JordanDEATH PENALTY
The legal system in Jordan is based on Islamic law
The legal system in Jordan is based on Islamic law
- JANUARY 1, 2014BarbadosDEATH PENALTY
Barbados retains a mandatory death penalty or murder and treason.
Barbados retains a mandatory death penalty or murder and treason.
- JANUARY 1, 2014TanzaniaDEATH 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, 2014BahamasDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder
- JANUARY 1, 2014Antigua & BarbudaDEATH PENALTY
Murder is a capital crime.
Murder is a capital crime.
- JANUARY 1, 2014St. Vincent & GrenadinesDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2014AlgeriaDEATH 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, 2014DominicaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2014JamaicaDEATH PENALTY
On the issue of capital punishment, the Jamaica Constitution states...
On the issue of capital punishment, the Jamaica Constitution states...
- JANUARY 1, 2014GuyanaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2014BelizeDEATH PENALTY
Murder and military offences are capital crimes.
Murder and military offences are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2014BotswanaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been on the books in Botswana since its independence from Great Britain in 1966.
The death penalty has been on the books in Botswana since its independence from Great Britain in 1966.
- JANUARY 1, 2014Myanmar (Burma)DEATH PENALTY
In Myanmar (formerly Burma) capital crimes are: murder
In Myanmar (formerly Burma) capital crimes are: murder
- JANUARY 1, 2014Burkina FasoDEATH PENALTY
Burkina Faso provides for the death penalty in the following crimes:
Burkina Faso provides for the death penalty in the following crimes:
- JANUARY 1, 2014KuwaitDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for by laws based on the Sharia.
The death penalty is provided for by laws based on the Sharia.
- JANUARY 1, 2014AfghanistanDEATH 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, 2014Palestinian TerritoriesDEATH PENALTY
On 29 November 2012, the General Assembly voted to grant
On 29 November 2012, the General Assembly voted to grant
- JANUARY 1, 2014CameroonDEATH PENALTY
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
- JANUARY 1, 2014MoroccoDEATH PENALTY
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2014QatarDEATH PENALTY
Since March 2013, after ten consecutive years without executions...
Since March 2013, after ten consecutive years without executions...
- JANUARY 1, 2014GhanaDEATH 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, 2014RussiaDEATH 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, 2014CubaDEATH PENALTY
In April 2013, after ten consecutive years without carrying out executions
In April 2013, after ten consecutive years without carrying out executions
- JANUARY 1, 2014LatviaDEATH 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, 2014BelarusDEATH PENALTY
Article 24 of the constitution reads that
Article 24 of the constitution reads that "the death penalty...
- JANUARY 1, 2014Sierra LeoneDEATH PENALTY
Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution allows the use of the death penalty for aggravated robbery
Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution allows the use of the death penalty for aggravated robbery
- JANUARY 1, 2014ZimbabweDEATH PENALTY
In June 2013, after ten consecutive years without carrying out executions...
In June 2013, after ten consecutive years without carrying out executions...
- JANUARY 1, 2014MongoliaDEATH PENALTY
On 13 March 2012, Mongolia acceded to the Second Optional Protocol
On 13 March 2012, Mongolia acceded to the Second Optional Protocol
- JANUARY 1, 2014Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law
- JANUARY 1, 2014MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...