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.
Capital punishment has been in the country’s laws for premeditated murder and treason since the codification of the Thrimzhung Chhenmo (supreme law) in 1953, but it has not been applied since 1964.
Although capital punishment existed in law, it was not invoked. Even if the courts awarded capital punishment the King had the legal authority to repeal it.
On December 18, 2008, Bhutan abstained on the Resolution on a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty at the UN General Assembly.
On December 20, 2012, Bhutan voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty at the UN General Assembly.