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, 2009LiberiaDEATH PENALTY
On July 15, 2008, the Liberian Senate adopted...
On July 15, 2008, the Liberian Senate adopted a law introducing the death penalty for homicides committed during acts of armed robbery, terrorism or hijacking, confirming a May 7 vote of the Chamber of Representatives. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who
- JANUARY 1, 2009St. Kitts & NevisDEATH PENALTY
Murder is the only death-qualifiable offence.
Murder is the only death-qualifiable offence.
- JANUARY 1, 2009Sierra LeoneDEATH PENALTY
In Sierra Leone murder, aggravated robbery and treason are capital crimes.
In Sierra Leone murder, aggravated robbery and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2009Trinidad & 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, 2009RussiaDEATH 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, 2009YemenDEATH 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, 2009UzbekistanDEATH PENALTY
Uzbekistan abolished the death penalty on January 1, 2008.
Uzbekistan abolished the death penalty on January 1, 2008.
- JANUARY 1, 2009ArgentinaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1984.
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1984.
- JANUARY 1, 2009ChinaDEATH 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, 2009IndonesiaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is applicable for murder..
The death penalty is applicable for murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2009Equatorial GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2009SyriaDEATH 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, 2009BangladeshDEATH PENALTY
Bangladesh applies the death penalty for such crimes as murder, sedition and drug-trafficking.
Bangladesh applies the death penalty for such crimes as murder, sedition and drug-trafficking.
- DECEMBER 18, 2008ItalyDEATH PENALTY
DEATH PENALTY: UN APPROVES NEW PRO MORATORIUM RESOLUTION
the United Nations General Assembly approved the resolution for the moratorium on the death penalty for the second consecutive year, with 106 in favour, 46 against and 34 abstentions.
- DECEMBER 10, 2008United StatesDEATH PENALTY
EXECUTIONS AND DEATH SENTENCES IN UNITED STATES DROPPED IN 2008, REPORT FINDS
New death sentences in the United States were at or near a three-decade low this year and the number of people executed will be the lowest since 1994, according to a new report. The nonprofit Death Penalty Information Center reports 37 executions in 2008
- NOVEMBER 30, 2008NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
AFRICA'S HUMAN RIGHTS BODY TAKES A STANCE AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) called for a moratorium on executions
- NOVEMBER 20, 2008United NationsDEATH PENALTY
UN. THIRD COMMISSION APPROVES NEW PRO-MORATORIUM RESOLUTION
the Third Commission of the United Nations’ General Assembly approved, for the second consecutive year, the draft resolution on the 'Moratorium on the use of the death penalty.' 105 countries voted in favour, 48 against, with 31 abstentions.
- NOVEMBER 20, 2008South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
S KOREA ABSTAINS IN UN VOTE ON ENDING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
South Korea abstained from voting on a UN resolution to end the death penalty worldwide...
- NOVEMBER 17, 2008SudanDEATH PENALTY
EU SEEKS DIALOGUE WITH SUDAN ON DEATH PENALTY
a delegation of European diplomats arrived in southern Sudan seeking Sudan's support for a European Union call for a moratorium on the death penalty.
- NOVEMBER 15, 2008Palestinian TerritoriesDEATH PENALTY
PNA. PALESTINIAN HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP CALLS FOR MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY
the Gaza City-based Palestinian Centre for Human Rights wrote a report on the death sentence by a military
- NOVEMBER 9, 2008AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
AUSTRALIA TO SEEK UN RESOLUTION AGAINST EXECUTIONS
Australia will press for an international moratorium on capital punishment following the execution of the Bali
- OCTOBER 28, 2008European UnionDEATH PENALTY
EUROPEAN UNION: EU SEEKS APPROVAL OF RENEWED RESOLUTION AGAINST DEATH PENALTY
the European Union (EU) and other countries compiled a UN resolution calling for a temporary suspension of the death penalty.
- OCTOBER 24, 2008KazakhstanDEATH PENALTY
the European Union hopes for complete abolition of the death penalty in Central Asia
the European Union hopes for complete abolition of the death penalty in Central Asia
- OCTOBER 20, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the rights of women and minorities in Iran
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the rights of women and minorities in Iran
- OCTOBER 15, 2008United NationsDEATH PENALTY
UN URGED TO END EXECUTIONS OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS
as UN member states begin the debate on the rights of the child...
- OCTOBER 10, 2008ItalyDEATH PENALTY
ITALIAN CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES. CELEBRATION: EUROPEAN DAY AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY
"Today is an important occasion to remember the struggle at the United Nations for the adoption of the resolution for the Moratorium on capital punishment. We also renew the commitment by institutions and civil society to not lower our guard," Giorgio Nap
- OCTOBER 10, 2008ItalyDEATH PENALTY
DEATH PENALTY. HANDS OFF CAIN PRESENTS DOSSIER
For the European Day Against Capital Punishment, Hands Off Cain presented a dossier entitled "The death penalty around the world - THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTS OF THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2008". The global trend towards the abolition of the death penalty cont
- OCTOBER 10, 2008ChileDEATH PENALTY
CHILE'S SEN NARANJO CALLS FOR COMPLETE ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY
Socialist Party (PS) Sen Jaime Naranjo Ortiz called on the Chilean government to completely abolish the death penalty and encouraged other countries to ratify the UN resolution against it.
- OCTOBER 10, 2008RussiaDEATH PENALTY
leading Russian human rights organizations believe Russia should completely abolish the death penalty
leading Russian human rights organizations believe Russia should completely abolish the death penalty
- OCTOBER 9, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN CRITICISED AHEAD OF ANTI-DEATH PENALTY DAY
human rights campaigners demanded that Japan impose a moratorium on executions, accusing the country of going against worldwide opinion on the eve of a global day against the death penalty