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, 2020Sierra LeoneDEATH PENALTY
Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution allows the use of the death penalty for aggravated robbery
Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution allows the use of the death penalty for aggravated robbery
- JANUARY 1, 2020SingaporeDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, treason, offences against the President, illegal possession of arms, kidnapping and causing an innocent person to be executed by bearing false witness.
Capital crimes are: murder, treason, offences against the President, illegal possession of arms, kidnapping and causing an innocent person to be executed by bearing false witness.
- JANUARY 1, 2020BotswanaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been on the books in Botswana since its independence from Great Britain in 1966.
The death penalty has been on the books in Botswana since its independence from Great Britain in 1966.
- JANUARY 1, 2020MalawiDEATH PENALTY
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are murder...
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2020KenyaDEATH PENALTY
the mandatory death sentence is no longer lawful in Kenya
the mandatory death sentence is no longer lawful in Kenya
- JANUARY 1, 2020South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
20 years without executions
20 years without executions
- JANUARY 1, 2020BahrainDEATH PENALTY
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must
- JANUARY 1, 2020SyriaDEATH PENALTY
In Syria, capital crimes are: treason; murder...
In Syria, capital crimes are: treason; murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2020UgandaDEATH PENALTY
Uganda’s penal code provides for 15 capital offences
Uganda’s penal code provides for 15 capital offences
- JANUARY 1, 2020United Arab EmiratesDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is rarely applied in the UAE...
The death penalty is rarely applied in the UAE...
- JANUARY 1, 2020AlgeriaDEATH PENALTY
Algeria’s laws prescribe the death penalty for a range of crimes including ordinary crimes.
Algeria’s laws prescribe the death penalty for a range of crimes including ordinary crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2020QatarDEATH PENALTY
Since March 2013, after ten consecutive years without executions...
Since March 2013, after ten consecutive years without executions...
- JANUARY 1, 2020JordanDEATH PENALTY
The legal system in Jordan is based on Islamic law
The legal system in Jordan is based on Islamic law
- JANUARY 1, 2020North KoreaDEATH PENALTY
North Korea denies holding any political prisoners.
North Korea denies holding any political prisoners.
- JANUARY 1, 2020GambiaDEATH PENALTY
On 19 February 2018, Gambian President Adama Barrow announced a moratorium on the death penalty
On 19 February 2018, Gambian President Adama Barrow announced a moratorium on the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2020GuyanaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2020TunisiaDEATH PENALTY
In Tunisian law the death penalty is issued for 21 separate offenses
In Tunisian law the death penalty is issued for 21 separate offenses
- JANUARY 1, 2020BelgiumDEATH PENALTY
Belgium abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1996.
Belgium abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1996.
- JANUARY 1, 2020Guinea-BissauDEATH PENALTY
Guinea Bissau abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1993.
Guinea Bissau abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1993.
- JANUARY 1, 2020HungaryDEATH PENALTY
Hungary has been abolitionist since 1990, following a decision by the Constitutional Court.
Hungary has been abolitionist since 1990, following a decision by the Constitutional Court.
- JANUARY 1, 2020SloveniaDEATH PENALTY
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
Slovenia abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1989.
- JANUARY 1, 2020EstoniaDEATH PENALTY
Estonia abolished the death penalty for all crimes on May 13, 1998.
Estonia abolished the death penalty for all crimes on May 13, 1998.
- JANUARY 1, 2020GermanyDEATH PENALTY
The Federal Republic of Germany abolished the death penalty in 1949.
The Federal Republic of Germany abolished the death penalty in 1949.
- JANUARY 1, 2020RussiaDEATH PENALTY
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
- JANUARY 1, 2020EswatiniDEATH PENALTY
The Criminal Law and Procedure Act No.67 of 1938, as amended in 1975...
The Criminal Law and Procedure Act No.67 of 1938, as amended in 1975...
- JANUARY 1, 2020BahamasDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder
- JANUARY 1, 2020PhilippinesDEATH 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, 2020MoroccoDEATH PENALTY
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
The Country has 11 crimes that carry the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2020BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
The death penalty is mandatory for murder
- JANUARY 1, 2020MonacoDEATH 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."