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, 2014MoldovaDEATH 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, 2014SerbiaDEATH 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, 2014NetherlandsDEATH 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, 2014LuxembourgDEATH PENALTY
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
Luxembourg has been completely abolitionist since 1979.
- JANUARY 1, 2014MonacoDEATH 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, 2014IrelandDEATH PENALTY
Ireland abolished the death penalty in 1990.
Ireland abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2014LiechtensteinDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1987.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1987.
- JANUARY 1, 2014PolandDEATH 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, 2014RomaniaDEATH PENALTY
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2014BrazilDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Brazil said
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Brazil said
- JANUARY 1, 2014SwedenDEATH PENALTY
Sweden abolished capital punishment for ordinary crimes in 1921 and has been abolitionist for all crimes since 1972.
Sweden abolished capital punishment for ordinary crimes in 1921 and has been abolitionist for all crimes since 1972.
- JANUARY 1, 2014TürkiyeDEATH 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, 2014South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in South Africa on June 6...
The death penalty was abolished in South Africa on June 6...
- JANUARY 1, 2014United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
The United Kingdom abolished the death penalty for murder on December 18...
The United Kingdom abolished the death penalty for murder on December 18...
- JANUARY 1, 2014ColombiaDEATH PENALTY
Colombia abolished the death penalty in 1910.
Colombia abolished the death penalty in 1910.
- JANUARY 1, 2014SloveniaDEATH PENALTY
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2014AngolaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution approved in 1992 abolished the death penalty.
The Constitution approved in 1992 abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2014RwandaDEATH PENALTY
Rwanda is the first African country in the Great Lakes region to abolish the death penalty
Rwanda is the first African country in the Great Lakes region to abolish the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2014Dominican RepublicDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Dominican Republic at Art. 8 (1) refers
The Constitution of the Dominican Republic at Art. 8 (1) refers
- JANUARY 1, 2014PalauDEATH PENALTY
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.
- JANUARY 1, 2014Marshall 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, 2014IsraelDEATH PENALTY
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
- JANUARY 1, 2014HaitiDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Haiti (1987) at Art. 20 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Haiti (1987) at Art. 20 states:
- JANUARY 1, 2014AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
- JANUARY 1, 2014MicronesiaDEATH 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, 2014ParaguayDEATH 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, 2014TogoDEATH PENALTY
On June 23, 2009, Togo's parliament voted unanimously to abolish the death penalty.
On June 23, 2009, Togo's parliament voted unanimously to abolish the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2014VenezuelaDEATH 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, 2014UzbekistanDEATH PENALTY
Uzbekistan abolished the death penalty on January 1, 2008.
Uzbekistan abolished the death penalty on January 1, 2008.
- JANUARY 1, 2014TuvaluDEATH 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.