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, 2013CameroonDEATH PENALTY
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
- JANUARY 1, 2013BelarusDEATH PENALTY
Article 24 of the constitution reads that
Article 24 of the constitution reads that "the death penalty...
- JANUARY 1, 2013GhanaDEATH 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, 2013LebanonDEATH 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, 2013LaosDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty in Laos is applied in cases of treason, murder and rape
The death penalty in Laos is applied in cases of treason, murder and rape
- JANUARY 1, 2013MauritaniaDEATH PENALTY
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2013LesothoDEATH PENALTY
Murder, rape and treason are capital crimes.
Murder, rape and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2013MalawiDEATH PENALTY
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are murder...
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2013TanzaniaDEATH 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, 2013KenyaDEATH PENALTY
Murder, treason and armed robbery are capital crimes.
Murder, treason and armed robbery are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2013GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
- JANUARY 1, 2013MoroccoDEATH PENALTY
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2013LiberiaDEATH PENALTY
The National Transitional Government was established under ...
The National Transitional Government was established under
- JANUARY 1, 2013SenegalDEATH 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, 2013Equatorial GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, spying, treason, armed robbery and military offences are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, spying, treason, armed robbery and military offences are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2013FijiDEATH PENALTY
Fiji abolished the death penalty for treason and piracy in February 2002
Fiji abolished the death penalty for treason and piracy in February 2002
- JANUARY 1, 2013SeychellesDEATH PENALTY
Seychelles abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1993.
Seychelles abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1993.
- JANUARY 1, 2013SamoaDEATH PENALTY
Samoa commenced formal measures to abolish the death penalty on January 16, 2004
Samoa commenced formal measures to abolish the death penalty on January 16, 2004
- JANUARY 1, 2013BhutanDEATH PENALTY
On March 20, 2004 the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, issued a royal decree (“kasho”) abolishing the death penalty in the kingdom.
On March 20, 2004 the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, issued a royal decree (“kasho”) abolishing the death penalty in the kingdom.
- JANUARY 1, 2013CubaDEATH 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, 2013ZambiaDEATH PENALTY
The Zambian penal code, section 43, foresees that the death penalty...
The Zambian penal code, section 43, foresees that the death penalty...
- JANUARY 1, 2013MaldivesDEATH PENALTY
Premeditated murder, attempted assassination of the President...
Premeditated murder, attempted assassination of the President...
- JANUARY 1, 2013GuatemalaDEATH PENALTY
The Guatemalan penal code (1973) provides for the death penalty for parricide...
The Guatemalan penal code (1973) provides for the death penalty for parricide, aggravated homicide and assassination of the President or Vice-President.
- JANUARY 1, 2013Solomon IslandsDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
- JANUARY 1, 2013ComorosDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, treason and spying are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, treason and spying are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2013KiribatiDEATH PENALTY
There have been no executions since independence on July 12, 1979.
There have been no executions since independence on July 12, 1979.
- JANUARY 1, 2013Papua New GuineaDEATH PENALTY
On 28 May 2013, Papua New Guinea repealed
On 28 May 2013, Papua New Guinea repealed
- JANUARY 1, 2013TogoDEATH 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, 2013DominicaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2013MauritiusDEATH PENALTY
Mauritius has been abolitionist since 1995 when the Death Penalty Act...
Mauritius has been abolitionist since 1995 when the Death Penalty Act...