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, 2008SudanDEATH PENALTY
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
The crimes punishable by death are murder, armed robbery...
- JANUARY 1, 2008TanzaniaDEATH 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.
- JANUARY 1, 2008Congo - 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, 2008SenegalDEATH PENALTY
On December 10, 2004 Senegal’s National Assembly, with a resounding majority, voted to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.
On December 10, 2004 Senegal’s National Assembly, with a resounding majority, voted to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2008Trinidad & 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, 2008DominicaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2008ComorosDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, treason and spying are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, treason and spying are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2008Antigua & BarbudaDEATH PENALTY
Murder is a capital crime.
Murder is a capital crime.
- JANUARY 1, 2008BelizeDEATH PENALTY
Murder and military offences are capital crimes.
Murder and military offences are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2008LaosDEATH 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, 2008CubaDEATH PENALTY
The Penal Code presently in force provides for the death penalty for 112 offences, 33 of which are common crimes.
The Penal Code presently in force provides for the death penalty for 112 offences, 33 of which are common crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2008JamaicaDEATH 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, 2008St. Kitts & NevisDEATH PENALTY
Murder is the only death-qualifiable offence.
Murder is the only death-qualifiable offence.
- JANUARY 1, 2008GuyanaDEATH PENALTY
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
Murder and treason are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2008ChadDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are aggravated murder, treason, spying and military offences.
Capital crimes are aggravated murder, treason, spying and military offences.
- JANUARY 1, 2008GrenadaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty can be applied for murder.
The death penalty can be applied for murder.
- JANUARY 1, 2008GambiaDEATH PENALTY
In Gambia, the death penalty was abolished in 1993, but re-established in August 1995 by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council.
In Gambia, the death penalty was abolished in 1993, but re-established in August 1995 by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council.
- JANUARY 1, 2008BeninDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for in the penal code for various offences, including: murder, piracy, treason, sorcery and other practices causing public disturbance.
The death penalty is provided for in the penal code for various offences, including: murder, piracy, treason, sorcery and other practices causing public disturbance.
- JANUARY 1, 2008NamibiaDEATH 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, 2008CameroonDEATH PENALTY
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
Cameroon applies the death penalty for treason.
- JANUARY 1, 2008TunisiaDEATH 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, 2008OmanDEATH 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, 2008MadagascarDEATH 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, 2008Cape VerdeDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Cape Verde (1992) states at Art. 26 (2):
The Constitution of the Republic of Cape Verde (1992) states at Art. 26 (2): "No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment or treatment, and in no circumstances shall there be the death penalty."
- JANUARY 1, 2008ArgentinaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1984.
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1984.
- JANUARY 1, 2008MozambiqueDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique (1990) at Art. 70 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique (1990) at Art. 70 states: "1. All citizens shall have the right to life.
- JANUARY 1, 2008BoliviaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of Bolivia, under article 17 bars the death penalty.
The Constitution of Bolivia, under article 17 bars the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2008BrazilDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Brazil said
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Brazil said
- JANUARY 1, 2008HaitiDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Haiti (1987) at Art. 20 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Haiti (1987) at Art. 20 states:
- JANUARY 1, 2008EcuadorDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador at Art. 23 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador at Art. 23 states: