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, 2009NauruDEATH 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, 2009MaliDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are given in Mali for serious crimes such as assassinations...
Death sentences are given in Mali for serious crimes such as assassinations...
- JANUARY 1, 2009TunisiaDEATH 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, 2009NamibiaDEATH 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, 2009Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person...
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person...
- JANUARY 1, 2009United 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, 2009Congo - 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, 2009Burkina FasoDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: treason or espionage in wartime (Art. 89);
Capital crimes are: treason or espionage in wartime (Art. 89);
- JANUARY 1, 2009KyrgyzstanDEATH 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, 2009AzerbaijanDEATH 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, 2009MadagascarDEATH 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, 2009GuatemalaDEATH 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, 2009OmanDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for under the penal laws of the Sultanate of Oman, which make reference to Sharia law.
The death penalty is provided for under the penal laws of the Sultanate of Oman, which make reference to Sharia law.
- JANUARY 1, 2009Solomon IslandsDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
- JANUARY 1, 2009Myanmar (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, 2009St. Vincent & GrenadinesDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2009QatarDEATH PENALTY
Murder, offences against the State, drug offences and terrorism are capital crimes.
Murder, offences against the State, drug offences and terrorism are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2009Papua New GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Murder, treason and piracy are capital crimes.
Murder, treason and piracy are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2009St. LuciaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2009MauritaniaDEATH PENALTY
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
High treason, premeditated murder and torture are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2009DominicaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2009GrenadaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty can be applied for murder.
The death penalty can be applied for murder.
- JANUARY 1, 2009MongoliaDEATH 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, 2009ChadDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are aggravated murder, treason, spying and military offences.
Capital crimes are aggravated murder, treason, spying and military offences.
- JANUARY 1, 2009GuyanaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2009MaldivesDEATH 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, 2009JamaicaDEATH 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, 2009Antigua & BarbudaDEATH PENALTY
Murder is a capital crime.
Murder is a capital crime.
- JANUARY 1, 2009BahamasDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder. Treason and piracy are also capital crimes.
The death penalty is mandatory for murder. Treason and piracy are also capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2009TanzaniaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes. The last execution was in 1994.
Murder and treason are capital crimes. The last execution was in 1994.