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, 2011KuwaitDEATH 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, 2011PakistanDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is imposed for several crimes...
The death penalty is imposed for several crimes...
- JANUARY 1, 2011MaldivesDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: premeditated murder, attempted assassination of the president, conspiracy against the sovereignty of the State, and acts of terrorism.
Capital crimes are: premeditated murder, attempted assassination of the president, conspiracy against the sovereignty of the State, and acts of terrorism.
- JANUARY 1, 2011JamaicaDEATH PENALTY
On the issue of capital punishment, the Jamaica Constitution states...
On the issue of capital punishment, the Jamaica Constitution states, "No person shall intentionally be deprived of his life save in execution of a sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been convicted".
- JANUARY 1, 2011St. Kitts & NevisDEATH PENALTY
Murder is the only death-qualifiable offence.
Murder is the only death-qualifiable offence.
- JANUARY 1, 2011St. Vincent & GrenadinesDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2011Solomon IslandsDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
- JANUARY 1, 2011Trinidad & 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, 2011GrenadaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty can be applied for murder.
The death penalty can be applied for murder.
- JANUARY 1, 2011St. LuciaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2011SyriaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: treason; murder; political acts such as bearing arms against Syria
Capital crimes are: treason; murder; political acts such as bearing arms against Syria
- JANUARY 1, 2011SudanDEATH PENALTY
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
- JANUARY 1, 2011YemenDEATH PENALTY
Yemen applies the death penalty for a wide range of offences including rape...
Yemen applies the death penalty for a wide range of offences including rape...
- JANUARY 1, 2011United StatesDEATH PENALTY
Of the 50 states that make up the United States of America, 38 have the death penalty.
Of the 50 states that make up the United States of America, 38 have the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2011IranDEATH PENALTY
Offences punishable by death include:
Offences punishable by death include:
- JANUARY 1, 2011UgandaDEATH PENALTY
Uganda's penal code provides for 15 capital offences
Uganda's penal code provides for 15 capital offences
- JANUARY 1, 2011Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law that prescribes the death sentence for murder...
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law that prescribes the death sentence for murder, apostasy, rape, drug trafficking, highway robbery, sabotage and armed robbery.
- JANUARY 1, 2011BelizeDEATH PENALTY
Murder and military offences are capital crimes.
Murder and military offences are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2011ChinaDEATH PENALTY
A revised Criminal Procedure Law came into force in January 1997
A revised Criminal Procedure Law came into force in January 1997
- JANUARY 1, 2011ComorosDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, treason and spying are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, treason and spying are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2011BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives
- JANUARY 1, 2011TurkmenistanDEATH 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, 2011Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person...
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person...
- JANUARY 1, 2011AfghanistanDEATH 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, 2011Antigua & BarbudaDEATH PENALTY
Murder is a capital crime.
Murder is a capital crime.
- JANUARY 1, 2011UzbekistanDEATH PENALTY
Uzbekistan abolished the death penalty on January 1, 2008.
Uzbekistan abolished the death penalty on January 1, 2008.
- JANUARY 1, 2011RussiaDEATH PENALTY
Russia is committed to abolishing the death penalty as a member of the Council of Europe
Russia is committed to abolishing the death penalty as a member of the Council of Europe
- JANUARY 1, 2011NauruDEATH 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, 2011PeruDEATH 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, 2011CambodiaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia (1993) at Art. 32 states:
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia (1993) at Art. 32 states: