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, 2010UruguayDEATH 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, 2010PalauDEATH PENALTY
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.
Palau abolished the death penalty in 1994.
- JANUARY 1, 2010NicaraguaDEATH 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, 2010KyrgyzstanDEATH 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, 2010Timor-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, 2010VanuatuDEATH 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, 2010Dominican 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, 2010AzerbaijanDEATH 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, 2010SwitzerlandDEATH 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, 2010TürkiyeDEATH 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, 2010North 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, 2010SloveniaDEATH PENALTY
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2010SlovakiaDEATH PENALTY
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
Slovakia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1990.
- JANUARY 1, 2010SpainDEATH PENALTY
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
- JANUARY 1, 2010São 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, 2010SwedenDEATH 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, 2010TuvaluDEATH 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, 2010SerbiaDEATH 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, 2010ParaguayDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of Paraguay (1992) at Art. 4,
The Constitution of Paraguay (1992) at Art. 4, "The Right to life," states in part: "The death penalty is abolished."
- JANUARY 1, 2010PhilippinesDEATH PENALTY
On June 24, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed a law abolishing the death penalty.
On June 24, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed a law abolishing the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2010SamoaDEATH 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, 2010PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1867 and became totally abolitionist in 1976.
Portugal abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1867 and became totally abolitionist in 1976.
- JANUARY 1, 2010PolandDEATH PENALTY
Poland abolished the death penalty in 1997 and a penal code introduced in 1998 replaced it with life imprisonment.
Poland abolished the death penalty in 1997 and a penal code introduced in 1998 replaced it with life imprisonment.
- JANUARY 1, 2010RwandaDEATH 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, 2010MoldovaDEATH 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, 2010RomaniaDEATH PENALTY
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
Romania abolished the death penalty in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2010San 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, 2010MonacoDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Principality of Monaco of December 17, 1962 states:
The Constitution of the Principality of Monaco of December 17, 1962 states: "The death penalty is abolished."
- JANUARY 1, 2010MauritiusDEATH PENALTY
Mauritius has been abolitionist since 1995 when the Death Penalty Act...
Mauritius has been abolitionist since 1995 when the Death Penalty Act...
- JANUARY 1, 2010Marshall IslandsDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Marshall Islands (1979) under Section 6(1) states
The Constitution of the Republic of Marshall Islands (1979) under Section 6(1) states