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, 2010BurundiDEATH PENALTY
On April 22, 2009, Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza promulgated
On April 22, 2009, Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza promulgated
- JANUARY 1, 2010TogoDEATH PENALTY
On June 23, 2009, Togo's parliament voted unanimously to abolish the death penalty.
On June 23, 2009, Togo's parliament voted unanimously to abolish the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2010Myanmar (Burma)DEATH PENALTY
High treason and premeditated murder are capital crimes in Myanmar.
High treason and premeditated murder are capital crimes in Myanmar.
- JANUARY 1, 2010MongoliaDEATH PENALTY
As reduced by an amendment of 1994 to the criminal code...
As reduced by an amendment of 1994 to the criminal code...
- JANUARY 1, 2010North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
In its 2001 report submitted to the UN Human Rights Committee
In its 2001 report submitted to the UN Human Rights Committee
- JANUARY 1, 2010IraqDEATH 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, 2010ChadDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are aggravated murder, treason, spying and military offences.
Capital crimes are aggravated murder, treason, spying and military offences.
- JANUARY 1, 2010TunisiaDEATH PENALTY
Murder, violence and aggression, attacks against the internal security of the State and attacks against the external security of the State are all capital offences.
Murder, violence and aggression, attacks against the internal security of the State and attacks against the external security of the State are all capital offences.
- JANUARY 1, 2010Congo - KinshasaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, treason...
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, treason, spying, political and military offences and genocide.
- JANUARY 1, 2010GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
- JANUARY 1, 2010GuatemalaDEATH 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, 2010Equatorial GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2010LaosDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty in Laos is applied in cases of treason, murder and rape
The death penalty in Laos is applied in cases of treason, murder and rape
- JANUARY 1, 2010KenyaDEATH PENALTY
Murder, treason and armed robbery are capital crimes.
Murder, treason and armed robbery are capital crimes.
- DECEMBER 15, 2009BelarusDEATH PENALTY
BELARUS: MORE TIME NEEDED FOR MORATORIUM
Belarus isn’t excluding the introduction of the moratorium on the death penalty, but it needs more time.
NOVEMBER 19, 2009RussiaDEATH PENALTYRUSSIA: CONSTITUTIONAL COURT EXTENDS MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
Russia's Constitutional Court prolonged a moratorium on the death penalty, which was due to expire on January 1, until it is banned completely.
- NOVEMBER 5, 2009DEATH PENALTY
HANDS OFF CAIN CONGRESS: DECEMBER 17 AND 18 IN PADOVA PRISON
The next Hands Off Cain Congress will be held on December 17 and 18 in a special location: the Padova
- OCTOBER 30, 2009ItalyDEATH PENALTY
DEATH PENALTY: D'ELIA- I DON’T BELEIVE THAT RUSSIA CAN HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS
the decision to apply a moratorium on capital punishment in Russia was made by Boris Yeltsin and then
- OCTOBER 10, 2009BelarusDEATH PENALTY
in the World Day against the Death Penalty...
in the World Day against the Death Penalty, the Council of Europe’s information centre in Minsk launched a campaign on abolition of the death penalty.
- OCTOBER 9, 2009TajikistanDEATH PENALTY
TAJIKISTAN DOESN’T INTEND TO CANCEL DEATH PENALTY MORATORIUM
Tajikistan does not intend to cancel the death penalty moratorium enacted at President Emomali Rakhmon’s initiative in 2004, Tajik Supreme Court Chairman Nusratullo Abdullayev told a press conference.
- SEPTEMBER 8, 2009RussiaDEATH PENALTY
RUSSIA: DEATH PENALTY MORATORIUM WILL REMAIN
the Kremlin says Russia will continue to maintain a moratorium on capital punishment.
- AUGUST 30, 2009LibyaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: ALANA WRITES TO AL-GADDAFI OVER NIGERIANS
Lagos lawyer Femi Falana urged Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi to order a stay of execution for all Nigerians on death row in his country.
- AUGUST 27, 2009ThailandDEATH PENALTY
EU AND RIGHTS ACTIVISTS CONDEMN THAI EXECUTIONS
the European Union and human rights activists condemned the execution of two men convicted of drug
- AUGUST 18, 2009BelarusDEATH PENALTY
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES ANOTHER CAMPAIGN AGAINST DEATH PENALTY IN BELARUS
Amnesty International launched another campaign against the death penalty in Belarus.
- JULY 29, 2009ItalyDEATH PENALTY
DEATH PENALTY: “HANDS OFF CAIN” CONTINUES AROUND THE WORLD TOWARDS THE ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
the positive evolution around the world over the last ten years towards the abolition of
- JULY 29, 2009ItalyDEATH PENALTY
“ABOLITIONIST OF THE YEAR 2009”: NAPOLITANO- APPLAUSE FOR NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR AND PARLIAMENTARIAN, PRIZE WINNERS
“Italy has always been first in line against the death penalty” and it is “an obligation to continue to fight for the inviolability of life and against the culture of death.” This was the warning of the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, agai
- JULY 1, 2009ItalyDEATH PENALTY
DEATH PENALTY: ITALIAN RESOLUTION APPROVED BY ANNUAL OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
the Resolution for the moratorium on capital executions and for the abolition of the
- JUNE 25, 2009BelarusDEATH PENALTY
BELARUS: JUDICIARY SAID TO BE READY FOR DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION
Belarus’ judicial system is ready to introduce a moratorium on the death penalty, Supreme Court Chairman Valyantsin Sukala told reporters in Minsk.
- JUNE 24, 2009MarylandDEATH PENALTY
USA - Maryland. Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration issued new regulations that could clear the way for Maryland to resume executions
USA - Maryland. Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration issued new regulations that could clear the way for Maryland to resume executions
JUNE 23, 2009BelarusDEATH PENALTYBELARUS: DEATH PENALTY BAN UNEXPECTED AS CONDITION FOR RESTORING SPECIAL GUEST STATUS
Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of