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, 2013NauruDEATH PENALTY
No one has been put to death since independence in 1968.
No one has been put to death since independence in 1968.
- JANUARY 1, 2013TurkmenistanDEATH PENALTY
On December 29, 1999, the People's Council decided to abolish the death sentence in the country.
On December 29, 1999, the People's Council decided to abolish the death sentence in the country.
- JANUARY 1, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTY
On April 9, 2003 Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime was overthrown by a US-led military coalition.
On April 9, 2003 Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime was overthrown by a US-led military coalition.
- JANUARY 1, 2013AfghanistanDEATH 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, 2013PeruDEATH PENALTY
Peru has been abolitionist for common crimes since 1979, when the last execution was held.
Peru has been abolitionist for common crimes since 1979, when the last execution was held.
- JANUARY 1, 2013North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
North Korea denies holding any political prisoners.
North Korea denies holding any political prisoners.
- JANUARY 1, 2013BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
- JANUARY 1, 2013BangladeshDEATH PENALTY
Article 32 of the Constitution provides
Article 32 of the Constitution provides
- JANUARY 1, 2013QatarDEATH PENALTY
Since March 2013, after ten consecutive years without executions...
Since March 2013, after ten consecutive years without executions...
- JANUARY 1, 2013SyriaDEATH PENALTY
In Syria, capital crimes are: treason; murder...
In Syria, capital crimes are: treason; murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2013Myanmar (Burma)DEATH PENALTY
In Myanmar (formerly Burma) capital crimes are: murder
In Myanmar (formerly Burma) capital crimes are: murder
- JANUARY 1, 2013KuwaitDEATH 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, 2013Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law
- JANUARY 1, 2013St. Kitts & NevisDEATH PENALTY
Murder is the only death-qualifiable offence.
Murder is the only death-qualifiable offence.
- JANUARY 1, 2013BahamasDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder
- JANUARY 1, 2013GuyanaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2013YemenDEATH PENALTY
Yemen's legal system is based on both Sharia principles and customary law.
Yemen's legal system is based on both Sharia principles and customary law.
- JANUARY 1, 2013St. Vincent & GrenadinesDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2013GrenadaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty can be applied for aggravated murder and treason.
The death penalty can be applied for aggravated murder and treason.
- JANUARY 1, 2013St. LuciaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2013BarbadosDEATH PENALTY
Barbados retains a mandatory death penalty or murder and treason.
Barbados retains a mandatory death penalty or murder and treason.
- JANUARY 1, 2013Antigua & BarbudaDEATH PENALTY
Murder is a capital crime.
Murder is a capital crime.
- JANUARY 1, 2013BelizeDEATH PENALTY
Murder and military offences are capital crimes.
Murder and military offences are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2013LibyaDEATH PENALTY
Under the penal code in force at the time of Gaddafi...
Under the penal code in force at the time of Gaddafi...
- JANUARY 1, 2013JordanDEATH PENALTY
The legal system in Jordan is based on Islamic law
The legal system in Jordan is based on Islamic law
- JANUARY 1, 2013Trinidad & TobagoDEATH PENALTY
The sentence of death is the mandatory punishment for murder in Trinidad and Tobago.
The sentence of death is the mandatory punishment for murder in Trinidad and Tobago.
- JANUARY 1, 2013BahrainDEATH PENALTY
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must
- JANUARY 1, 2013SudanDEATH PENALTY
The 1991 penal code based on Sharia law prescribes both the death penalty and corporal punishment.
The 1991 penal code based on Sharia law prescribes both the death penalty and corporal punishment.
- JANUARY 1, 2013ZimbabweDEATH 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, 2013BotswanaDEATH 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.