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
- FEBRUARY 26, 2008ChinaDEATH PENALTY
CHINA. OPEN LETTER TO THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS
the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and the Anti-Death Penalty Asia
- FEBRUARY 12, 2008GuatemalaDEATH PENALTY
GUATEMALA LIFTS MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS
Guatemalan lawmakers gave the president the ability to pardon or commute
- FEBRUARY 10, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN. MPS MOOT HALT TO EXECUTIONS
a cross-party group of Japanese legislators drafted a bill proposing
- FEBRUARY 6, 2008BelarusDEATH PENALTY
COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONDEMNS BELARUS OVER EXECUTIONS
the Council of Europe, the continent's main rights watchdog, condemned
- FEBRUARY 3, 2008IllinoisDEATH PENALTY
For the 6th year in a row, University of Illinois ...
For the 6th year in a row, University of Illinois ...
- JANUARY 15, 2008Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
POPE: RADICALS, BELATED INTERVENTION BY RATZINGER ON THE DEATH PENALTY AT LA SAPIENZA
Elisabetta Zamparutti, Treasurer of the Italian Radicals and of Hands Off
- JANUARY 14, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: IRAN'S STONING A CRUEL AND UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICE
as nine women and two men in Iran wait to be stoned to death, Amnesty International called on the Iranian authorities to abolish execution by stoning and impose an immediate moratorium on this horrific practice, specifically designed to increase the suffe
- JANUARY 1, 2008San 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, 2008UkraineDEATH PENALTY
Ukraine abolished the death penalty in February 2000, with an overwhelming majority vote of the members of the Ukrainian parliament.
Ukraine abolished the death penalty in February 2000, with an overwhelming majority vote of the members of the Ukrainian parliament.
- JANUARY 1, 2008SpainDEATH PENALTY
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
Spain became completely abolitionist in 1995.
- JANUARY 1, 2008SwitzerlandDEATH 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, 2008SwedenDEATH 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, 2008RussiaDEATH 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, 2008United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
The United Kingdom abolished the death penalty for murder on December 18...
The United Kingdom abolished the death penalty for murder on December 18...
- JANUARY 1, 2008Timor-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, 2008Marshall 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
- JANUARY 1, 2008IsraelDEATH PENALTY
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954.
- JANUARY 1, 2008AustraliaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
The death penalty was formally abolished in Australia in 1985.
- JANUARY 1, 2008KiribatiDEATH PENALTY
There have been no executions since independence on July 12, 1979.
There have been no executions since independence on July 12, 1979.
- JANUARY 1, 2008AfghanistanDEATH 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, 2008LebanonDEATH PENALTY
Lebanon reinstated the death penalty in 1994 in a bid to stem a rise in violent crime following the 1975-90 civil war.
Lebanon reinstated the death penalty in 1994 in a bid to stem a rise in violent crime following the 1975-90 civil war.
- JANUARY 1, 2008BhutanDEATH PENALTY
On March 20, 2004 the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, issued a royal decree (“kasho”) abolishing the death penalty in the kingdom.
On March 20, 2004 the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, issued a royal decree (“kasho”) abolishing the death penalty in the kingdom.
- JANUARY 1, 2008TurkmenistanDEATH 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, 2008SamoaDEATH 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, 2008QatarDEATH 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, 2008Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person...
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person...
- JANUARY 1, 2008Solomon IslandsDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1966.
- JANUARY 1, 2008North 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, 2008VietnamDEATH PENALTY
Vietnam applies the death penalty for 29 different crimes.
Vietnam applies the death penalty for 29 different crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2008SyriaDEATH 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