European Protocol for full abolition turns 20
Protocol
Today is the 20th anniversary of the adoption of Protocol No. 13 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, concerning the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances.
The treaty was open for signature by the Council of Europe Member States in Vilnius on 3 May 2002.
As of today, two Member States out of 46 (since Russia lost its membership with the war in Ukraine) still have to ratify it:
– Armenia, which signed it on 19 May 2006
– Azerbaijan, which has neither signed it nor ratified it
Both countries have ratified Protocol 6 to the European Convention and the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR.
The 20th anniversary of Protocol 13 is thus the perfect time to encourage both abolitionist countries to take this final step.
