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 11, 2011DEATH PENALTY
ILLINOIS (USA): DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION PASSES THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
the Illinois Senate, by a vote of 32-25, joined the House in voting to repeal the state’s death penalty and re-allocate funds in the Capital Litigation Trust Fund to a fund for murder victims’ services and law enforcement.
- JANUARY 11, 2011IllinoisDEATH PENALTY
USA - Illinois. The Senate today approved SB3539 to end the death penalty
USA - Illinois. The Senate today approved SB3539 to end the death penalty
- JANUARY 8, 2011ItalyDEATH PENALTY
ILLINOIS: HANDS OFF CAIN APPEAL FOR THE SUSPENSION OF GEORGE RYAN'S SENTENCE
“We appeal to your sense of humanity and ask for a moratorium on the six and a half year sentence of ex Illinois Governor George Ryan, half of which he has already served, so that he can be at the bedside of his dying wife Lura,” the Hands Off Cain direct
- JANUARY 1, 2011HondurasDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Honduras at Art. 66 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Honduras at Art. 66 states: "The death penalty is prohibited."
- JANUARY 1, 2011GermanyDEATH 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, 2011Costa RicaDEATH PENALTY
Costa Rica has been abolitionist since 1887.
Costa Rica has been abolitionist since 1887.
- JANUARY 1, 2011ColombiaDEATH PENALTY
Colombia abolished the death penalty in 1910.
Colombia abolished the death penalty in 1910.
- JANUARY 1, 2011DenmarkDEATH PENALTY
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
Denmark has been abolitionist since 1978.
- JANUARY 1, 2011CzechiaDEATH PENALTY
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
The Czech Republic abolished the death penalty in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2011EcuadorDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador at Art. 23 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador at Art. 23 states:
- JANUARY 1, 2011CroatiaDEATH PENALTY
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Croatia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2011Congo - BrazzavilleDEATH PENALTY
Murder, treason, spying and offences against the State are capital crimes.
Murder, treason, spying and offences against the State are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2011BelgiumDEATH PENALTY
Belgium abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1996.
Belgium abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1996.
- JANUARY 1, 2011AustriaDEATH 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, 2011Bosnia & 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, 2011BrazilDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Brazil said
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Brazil said
- JANUARY 1, 2011AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
- JANUARY 1, 2011BeninDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for in the penal code for various offences, including: murder, piracy, treason, sorcery and other practices causing public disturbance.
The death penalty is provided for in the penal code for various offences, including: murder, piracy, treason, sorcery and other practices causing public disturbance.
- JANUARY 1, 2011Cape VerdeDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Cape Verde (1992) states at Art. 26 (2):
The Constitution of the Republic of Cape Verde (1992) states at Art. 26 (2): "No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment or treatment, and in no circumstances shall there be the death penalty."
- JANUARY 1, 2011BulgariaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty for all crimes was abolished on December 10, 1998.
The death penalty for all crimes was abolished on December 10, 1998.
- JANUARY 1, 2011BoliviaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of Bolivia, under article 17 bars the death penalty.
The Constitution of Bolivia, under article 17 bars the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2011AlbaniaDEATH PENALTY
Capital punishment was abolished from the Criminal Code on December 10, 1999...
Capital punishment was abolished from the Criminal Code on December 10, 1999...
- JANUARY 1, 2011AndorraDEATH PENALTY
Article 8 (3) of Andorra’s Constitution states:
Article 8 (3) of Andorra’s Constitution states: "The death penalty is prohibited."
- JANUARY 1, 2011North CarolinaDEATH PENALTY
The method of execution is injection.
The method of execution is injection.
- JANUARY 1, 2011AlgeriaDEATH 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, 2011ArgentinaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1984.
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1984.
- JANUARY 1, 2011AngolaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution approved in 1992 abolished the death penalty.
The Constitution approved in 1992 abolished the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2011IllinoisDEATH 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, 2011GuatemalaDEATH 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, 2011EstoniaDEATH 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.