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
- JANUARY 1, 2020NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
- JANUARY 1, 2020YemenDEATH PENALTY
Yemen's legal system is based on both Sharia principles and customary law.
Yemen's legal system is based on both Sharia principles and customary law.
- JANUARY 1, 2020IranDEATH PENALTY
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
In accordance with Article 4 of the Iranian Constitution...
- JANUARY 1, 2020SudanDEATH PENALTY
The 1991 penal code based on Sharia law prescribes both the death penalty and corporal punishment.
The 1991 penal code based on Sharia law prescribes both the death penalty and corporal punishment.
- DECEMBER 18, 2019IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN - UN General Assembly censures Tehran regime for rights abuses.
IRAN - UN General Assembly censures Tehran regime for rights abuses.
- DECEMBER 17, 2019United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - DPIC 2019 Year End Report
USA - DPIC 2019 Year End Report
- DECEMBER 15, 2019United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - The Death Penalty in 2019: A Year of Incredible Progress, Marred by Unconscionable Executions.
USA - The Death Penalty in 2019: A Year of Incredible Progress, Marred by Unconscionable Executions.
NOVEMBER 22, 2019United StatesDEATH PENALTYUSA - Summer 2019 “Death Row USA” Shows Smallest U.S. Death-Row Population in 27 Years.
USA - Summer 2019 “Death Row USA” Shows Smallest U.S. Death-Row Population in 27 Years.
- AUGUST 5, 2019DEATH PENALTY
OREGON (USA): GOVERNOR KATE BROWN SIGNS SB 1013 NARROWING USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY
Calling the state’s death penalty “dysfunctional,” “costly,” and “immoral,” Oregon Governor Kate Brown on August 1, 2019 signed a bill significantly limiting the crimes for which capital punishment can be imposed in the state.
- AUGUST 1, 2019OregonDEATH PENALTY
USA - Oregon. Governor Kate Brown Signs SB 1013 Narrowing Use Death Penalty and Emptying Death Row
USA - Oregon. Governor Kate Brown Signs SB 1013 Narrowing Use Death Penalty and Emptying Death Row
- JUNE 18, 2019CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. ACLU Study: Los Angeles Death Penalty Discriminates Against Defendants of Color and the Poor.
USA - California. ACLU Study: Los Angeles Death Penalty Discriminates Against Defendants of Color and the Poor.
- JUNE 17, 2019CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. Poll finds Californians support the death penalty and moratorium on executions.
USA - California. Poll finds Californians support the death penalty and moratorium on executions.
MAY 16, 2019TaiwanDEATH PENALTYTAIWAN: EU URGES TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
The EU on 14 May 2019 called on Taiwan to introduce a temporary moratorium on the death penalty after a bilateral meeting on human rights in Brussels.
- MAY 6, 2019BruneiDEATH PENALTY
BRUNEI 'WILL NOT ENFORCE GAY DEATH PENALTY AFTER GLOBAL BACKLASH'
Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has said gay sex will not be punished with the death penalty after he faced global backlash over the incoming legislation, the Evening Standard reported on 5 May 2019.
- MARCH 13, 2019DEATH PENALTY
CALIFORNIA’S 737 DEATH ROW INMATES GET REPRIEVE FROM GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is halting the execution of 737 death row inmates on the nation’s largest death row on 13 March.
- MARCH 12, 2019CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. All death row inmates get reprieve from Governor Gavin Newsom.
USA - California. All death row inmates get reprieve from Governor Gavin Newsom.
- FEBRUARY 12, 2019BelarusDEATH PENALTY
THE MAJORITY OF BELARUSIANS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT DEATH PENALTY (60%)
The share of Belarusians who support the use of the death penalty increased from 52% in 2016 to 60% in 2017, a poll by the Presidential Administration’s Information and Analytical Center showed.
- JANUARY 1, 2019PanamaDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Republic of Panama (1972) at Art. 3 states:
The Constitution of the Republic of Panama (1972) at Art. 3 states: "There is no death penalty."
- JANUARY 1, 2019PakistanDEATH PENALTY
Pakistan sanctions the death penalty for 27 offences
Pakistan sanctions the death penalty for 27 offences
- JANUARY 1, 2019BurundiDEATH PENALTY
On April 22, 2009, Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza promulgated the new criminal code
On April 22, 2009, Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza promulgated the new criminal code which abolishes the death penalty but makes homosexuality a crime punishable by jail.
- JANUARY 1, 2019EthiopiaDEATH PENALTY
In 2017, Ethiopia became de facto abolitionist, after 10 consecutive year without executions.
In 2017, Ethiopia became de facto abolitionist, after 10 consecutive year without executions.
- JANUARY 1, 2019South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished in South Africa on June 6...
The death penalty was abolished in South Africa on June 6...
- JANUARY 1, 2019EgyptDEATH PENALTY
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
The Egyptian Constitution makes no reference to the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2019RwandaDEATH PENALTY
Rwanda is the first African country in the Great Lakes region to abolish the death penalty
Rwanda is the first African country in the Great Lakes region to abolish the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2019NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
Death sentences are mandatory for murder but also non lethal offences
- JANUARY 1, 2019KenyaDEATH PENALTY
the mandatory death sentence is no longer lawful in Kenya
the mandatory death sentence is no longer lawful in Kenya
- JANUARY 1, 2019Congo - 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, 2019GhanaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been in Ghana’s statute books since the inception
The death penalty has been in Ghana’s statute books since the inception
- JANUARY 1, 2019TogoDEATH PENALTY
On June 23, 2009, Togo's parliament voted unanimously to abolish the death penalty.
On June 23, 2009, Togo's parliament voted unanimously to abolish the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2019TunisiaDEATH 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