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, 2011AzerbaijanDEATH PENALTY
Parliament voted for abolition on February 10, 1998 following an initiative by President Ilham Aliyev in January 1998.
Parliament voted for abolition on February 10, 1998 following an initiative by President Ilham Aliyev in January 1998.
- JANUARY 1, 2011NamibiaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia (1990) at Art. 6 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia (1990) at Art. 6 states: "The right to life shall be respected and protected.
- JANUARY 1, 2011Burkina FasoDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: treason or espionage in wartime (Art. 89);
Capital crimes are: treason or espionage in wartime (Art. 89);
- JANUARY 1, 2011South 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, 2011MadagascarDEATH PENALTY
The last executions in Madagascar were carried out under French colonial rule in 1958.
The last executions in Madagascar were carried out under French colonial rule in 1958.
- JANUARY 1, 2011VenezuelaDEATH 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, 2011UruguayDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (1967) at Art. 26 states: ‘the death penalty shall not be applied to anyone.’
The Constitution of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (1967) at Art. 26 states: ‘the death penalty shall not be applied to anyone.’
- JANUARY 1, 2011Dominican 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, 2011VanuatuDEATH PENALTY
There have been no executions since independence on July 30, 1980.
There have been no executions since independence on July 30, 1980.
- JANUARY 1, 2011Timor-LesteDEATH PENALTY
East Timor became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century on the night between May 19 and 20, 2002.
East Timor became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century on the night between May 19 and 20, 2002.
- JANUARY 1, 2011UkraineDEATH PENALTY
Ukraine abolished the death penalty in February 2000, with an overwhelming majority vote of the members of the Ukrainian parliament.
Ukraine abolished the death penalty in February 2000, with an overwhelming majority vote of the members of the Ukrainian parliament.
- JANUARY 1, 2011PalauDEATH PENALTY
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.
- JANUARY 1, 2011KyrgyzstanDEATH PENALTY
On June 27, 2007 Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev...
On June 27, 2007 Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed legislation amending Kyrgyzstan's criminal codes and abolishing the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2011NicaraguaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Nicaragua (1987) at Art. 23 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Nicaragua (1987) at Art. 23 states: "The right to life is inviolable
- JANUARY 1, 2011United 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, 2011TuvaluDEATH 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.
- JANUARY 1, 2011SwitzerlandDEATH PENALTY
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992.
After abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1942, Switzerland became fully abolitionist in 1992.
- JANUARY 1, 2011SerbiaDEATH 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, 2011North MacedoniaDEATH PENALTY
The 1991 (amended in 2001) Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia at Art. 10 states:
The 1991 (amended in 2001) Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia at Art. 10 states: "The human right to life is irrevocable.
- JANUARY 1, 2011TürkiyeDEATH 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, 2011São Tomé & PríncipeDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe...
The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe...
- JANUARY 1, 2011SwedenDEATH 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, 2011SpainDEATH PENALTY
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
- JANUARY 1, 2011SlovakiaDEATH PENALTY
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2011San MarinoDEATH PENALTY
San Marino abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1848 and fully abolished it in 1865.
San Marino abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1848 and fully abolished it in 1865.
- JANUARY 1, 2011SloveniaDEATH PENALTY
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2011MoldovaDEATH 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, 2011NorwayDEATH PENALTY
Abolitionist for common crimes since 1905, Norway has been fully abolitionist since 1979.
Abolitionist for common crimes since 1905, Norway has been fully abolitionist since 1979.
- JANUARY 1, 2011RwandaDEATH 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, 2011RomaniaDEATH PENALTY
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.