All about Moratorium

150 element(s) found

Les moratoires officieux ont-ils un sens ?

Article(s)

Importance de comprendre les phases de l’abolition : le danger de « abolitionniste dans la pratique »

By Venus Aves, Bronwyn Dudley et Shahindha Ismail, on 6 November 2023

En juillet 2023, la Coalition mondiale contre la peine de mort a organisé un séminaire en Malaisie dans le cadre de son projet “Pays à risque”. Le sujet des moratoires informels a suscité beaucoup d’intérêt, les participant.es ayant réfléchi à des stratégies préventives pour empêcher le retour de la peine de mort et aux facteurs […]

2023

Moratorium

Are unofficial moratoriums meaningful?

Article(s)

Importance of understanding phases of abolition: the danger of ‘abolitionist in practice’ 

By Venus Aves, Bronwyn Dudley, and Shahindha Ismail, on 6 November 2023

In July 2023, the World Coalition hosted a seminar in Malaysia in the context of its “Countries at Risk” project. This subject of informal moratoriums solicited much interest as participants considered preventative strategies for stopping a return to the death penalty, and what environmental factors need to be considered to implement those strategies. This article […]

Moratorium

Article(s)

9e résolution pour un moratoire sur la peine de mort : une tendance croissante

By Coalition mondiale contre la peine de mort, on 20 December 2022

Le 15 décembre 2022, l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies a adopté la 9e résolution pour un moratoire sur l’application de la peine de mort avec 125 voix en faveur (2 de plus qu’en 2020), 37 voix contre, 22 abstentions et 9 absents.

2022

Moratorium

Article(s)

9th Resolution for a moratorium on the death penalty: the trend is growing

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 20 December 2022

On 15 December 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the 9th resolution for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty with 125 votes in favor (2 more than in 2020), 37 votes against, 22 abstentions and 9 absent.

Moratorium

Trend Towards Abolition

Document(s)

Estimating the effect of death penalty moratoriums on homicide rates using the synthetic control method

By Stephen N. Oliphant, on 18 September 2022


2022

Academic report

Moratorium

United States


More details See the document

Research examining death penalty deterrence has been characterized as inconclusive and uninformative. The present analysis heeds a recommendation from prior research to examine single-state changes in death penalty policy using the synthetic control method. Data from the years 1979–2019 were used to construct synthetic controls and estimate the effects of death penalty moratoriums on homicide rates in Illinois, New Jersey, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Moratoriums on capital punishment resulted in nonsignificant homicide reductions in all four states.

  • Document type Academic report
  • Countries list United States
  • Themes list Moratorium
Myanmar's flag

Article(s)

Déclaration sur la fin du moratoire non-officiel sur les exécutions au Myanmar

on 11 August 2022

La Coalition mondiale contre la peine de mort, et ACAT-Allemagne (et leur organisation partenaire Federal Association of Vietnamese Refugees in the Federal Republic of Germany), ACAT-France, Amnesty International, Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN), Avocats Sans Frontières France, Centre for Civil and Political Rights, Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE International), Coalition Marocaine Contre la […]

2022

Moratorium

Myanmar

Myanmar's flag

Article(s)

Statement on the end of the unofficial moratorium on executions in Myanmar

By the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 11 August 2022

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, and ACAT-France, ACAT-Germany (and their partner organization Federal Association of Vietnamese Refugees in the Federal Republic of Germany), Amnesty International, Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN), Avocats Sans Frontières France, Centre for Civil and Political Rights, Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE International), Coalition Marocaine Contre la Peine […]

Moratorium

Myanmar

Article(s)

Saudi Arabian Mass execution of 81 men

By Anissa Aguedal, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 4 April 2022

Saudi Arabia: the largest mass execution in this country in years The kingdom of Saudi Arabia executed 81 men on March 12, 2022, all of whom had been convicted of a wide range of offences, including “terrorism”- related crimes, murder, armed robbery, and arms smuggling. Those put to death included seven Yemenis, one Syrian and […]

2022

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

Saudi Arabia

World Coalition Against the Death Penalyt

Article(s)

Middle East and North Africa: Abolitionist civil societies in full swing despite a difficult context

By Aurelie Placais, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 15 February 2022

On the occasion of the publication of the Human Rights Watch World Report 2022, the World Coalition looks back at recent developments and civil society mobilization against the death penalty in the Arab world.

2022

Bahrain

Egypt

Fair Trial

Iraq

Moratorium

Morocco

Saudi Arabia

State of Palestine

Terrorism

Tunisia

Papua New Guinea's flag

Article(s)

Papua New Guinea: one step away from full abolition of the death penalty

By Aurélie Plaçais, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 21 January 2022

Papua New Guinea’s National Parliament voted to repeal the death penalty on 20 January2022. The bill has now to be signed into law and to be published in the official gazette.

2022

Moratorium

Papua New Guinea

World Coalition Against the Death Penalyt

Article(s)

Bahrain: Joint appeal for commutation and moratorium

By Salam for Democracy and Human Rights, on 13 January 2022

Joint Appeal was published on World Day Against the Death Penlaty on 10 October 2021 and sent to the Bahraini Embassy in France, UK and Switzerland.

2022

Bahrain

Clemency

Moratorium

Capitalization workshop of the project for the abolition in Africa

Article(s)

Capitalization workshop of the project for the abolition of the death penalty in sub-Saharan Africa

By Elise Garel, on 4 January 2022

Member organizations of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and African ACATs (Action des Chrétiens pour l’Abolition de la Torture) met in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) for the capitalization workshop of Phase 2 of the project for the abolition of the death penalty in sub-Saharan Africa, organized on 29 and 30 November by the World […]

2022

Côte d'Ivoire

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

Japan's flag

Article(s)

Protest Against Executions Ordered by Minister of Justice Yoshihisa Furukawa

By Center for Prisoner Rights and Japan Innocence and Death Penalty Information Center, on 23 December 2021

On 21 December 2021, Japan’s new governement executed three men after two years with no execution during which Japan hosted the Olympics and the United Nations Congress on Criminal Justice.

2021

Japan

Legal Representation

Moratorium

Document(s)

How to Work with Parliamentarians for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 7 October 2021


2021

Working with...

World Coalition

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

fr
More details Download [ pdf - 18114 Ko ]

This how-to guide, elaborated with Parliamentarians for Global Action with highlights coming from the African continent, is specifically designed for the use of abolitionist civil society groups who want to work with parliamentarians for the abolition of the death penalty.

World Coalition Against the Death Penalty

Article(s)

PRESS RELEASE – Indignation after 30 death sentences in Kinshasa

By Michel Kalemba, Suzanne Mangomba, Xavière Prugnard and Bertin Leblanc, on 4 August 2021

Kinshasa, Paris, May 27, 2021 Our organizations denounce the recent death sentences handed down by the High Court of Gombe, in the center of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, following violence against the forces of order.

2021

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Fair Trial

Legal Representation

Moratorium

World Coalition Against the Death Penalty

Article(s)

Abolition of the death penalty in the Central African Republic

By ECPM, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, the International Federation of ACAT (FIACAT) and Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture in the Central African Republic (ACAT CAR), on 2 August 2021

Together Against the Death Penalty, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, the International Federation of ACAT (FIACAT) and Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture in the Central African Republic (ACAT CAR) welcome this interactive dialogue and wish to draw the attention of the Independent Expert on the application of the death penalty […]

2021

Central African Republic

Moratorium

World Coalition Against the Death Penalyt

Article(s)

Statement on the occasion of the adoption of the upr report of Lebanon

By Ensemble contre la peine de mort (ECPM), on 2 August 2021

We welcome Lebanon’s position in accepting some of the recommendations on strengthening the justice sector and improving strengthening the justice sector and those aimed at improving the conditions of detention, including the fight against acts of torture and ill-treatment.

Lebanon

Moratorium

World Coalition Against the Death Penalty

Article(s)

Statement on the occasion of the adoption of the upr report of Mauritania

By Together against the death penalty, the Mauritanian Association for Human Rights, The Advocates for Human Rights and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 2 August 2021

Together against the death penalty, the Mauritanian Association for Human Rights, The Advocates for Human Rights and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty welcome the adoption of the report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of Mauritania by the Human Rights Council.

Mauritania

Moratorium

Document(s)

Co-Sponsorship, Note Verbale, and Association Behaviour at the Unga: An Analysis of the Death Penalty Moratorium Resolutions

By Daniel Pascoe & Sangmin Bae, on 22 April 2021


2021

Academic report

Moratorium


More details See the document

Since December 2007, seven resolutions in favour of a universal moratorium on death penalty executions have been adopted by the UN General Assembly. In an earlier paper (Pascoe and Bae 2020) we examined UN member states’ voting patterns over these seven resolutions, asking why some countries vote in a manner seemingly contradictory to their domestic death penalty practices. With a slightly different focus, we now further explore idiosyncratic state behaviour, this time through an analysis of co-sponsorship and the note verbale of dissociation. Our assumption is that states which plan to vote ‘yes’ in the plenary will also co-sponsor the resolution beforehand. We also presume that states which vote ‘no’ in the plenary will sign the note verbale invariably circulated several months later, as a further means of condemnation.

However, when it comes to the moratorium resolutions, not all member states fit into either of these binary categories. Many countries situate themselves in between the two groups of ‘genuine’ supporters and opponents. These countries in the middle evince inconsistency between their plenary votes and what we term their ‘association behaviour’ before or after the plenary, consisting of co-sponsorship and adherence to the note verbale. This paper analyses these groups of countries to determine the underlying causes for their ambivalent, or even contradictory, positions concerning the moratorium resolutions. The findings of this research stand to enrich not only the academic literature on international organizations, but also to inform the campaigning efforts of abolitionist UN member states and non-governmental organizations.

  • Document type Academic report
  • Themes list Moratorium
bahrain's flag

Article(s)

Calling Upon the Council of Paris to Overhaul Bahrain-Owned Paris FC’s Subsidy

By Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain, on 5 February 2021

This Tuesday, on February 2, 2021, the Council of Paris will announce its position on the renewal of the yearly €500,000 subvention allocated to the Paris FC.

2021

Bahrain

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Moratorium

Document(s)

Resolution 75/183 – Moratorium on the use of the death penalty

By United Nations General Assembly, on 12 January 2021


2021

International law - United Nations

Moratorium

aresfrruzh-hant
More details See the document

United Nations General Assembly Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 16 December 2020 [on the report of the Third Committee (A/75/478/Add.2, para. 89) 75/183. Moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

UN Moratorium Plenary Session Vote

Article(s)

Statement on the Adoption of the 8th UN General Assembly Resolution for a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 17 December 2020

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty warmly congratulates the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the adoption of Resolution A/RES/75/183 for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, which was adopted by a great majority of 123 UN Member States on 16 December 2020.

2020

Moratorium

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article(s)

Statement on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 10 December 2020

Humanity and the global human rights movement, including the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, are celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948. This day has been commemorated by the United Nations as International Human Rights Day.

2020

Moratorium

US White House

Article(s)

Calling for an End to the Federal Executions of the Outgoing Trump Administration

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 8 December 2020

A few days after losing the national election to President-Elect Joe Biden, the Donald Trump administration in the United States of America has continued scheduling a spree of federal executions in an attempt to push its cruel, inhuman and degrading death penalty agenda forward. President Trump resumed federal executions in July 2020, breaking a 17-year […]

2020

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

United States

United Nations

Article(s)

120 UN Member States Support the Moratorium at Committee Vote

By Louis Linel, on 18 November 2020

On 17 November, the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly has adopted a draft resolution calling upon UN Member States to observe a moratorium on executions.

2020

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Djibouti

Eswatini

Guinea

Lebanon

Mexico

Moratorium

Nauru

Philippines

Republic of Korea

Sierra Leone

Switzerland

Article(s)

High-Level Remote Panel on the Moratorium Resolution

By Louis Linel, on 6 November 2020

On 5 November, a webinar gathering high-level panelists was held by Ensemble contre la peine de mort / Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM) as one of their initiatives for the moratorium campaign. Usually organized in New York, USA on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the event had to be facilitated […]

2020

Algeria

Belgium

Democratic Republic of the Congo

France

Italy

Moratorium

Morocco

Switzerland

Document(s)

Note verbale dated 13 September 2019 from the Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

By United Nations, on 15 October 2020


2020

United Nations report

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

Chad

China

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Egypt

Ethiopia

Grenada

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Iraq

Jamaica

Kuwait

Libya

Moratorium

Nigeria

Oman

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

Qatar

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Sudan

Syrian Arab Republic

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Zimbabwe

aresfrruzh-hant
More details See the document

The Permanent Missions to the United Nations inNew York listed below have the honour to refer to General Assembly resolution 73/175, entitled “Moratorium on the use of the death penalty”, which was adopted by the Assembly on 17 December 2018 by a recorded vote. The Permanent Missions wish to place on record that they are in persistent objection to any attempt to impose a moratorium on the use of the death penalty or its abolition in contravention of existing stipulations under international law, for the following reasons:

Document(s)

Note verbale dated 28 July 2015 from the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

By United Nations, on 8 September 2020


2020

United Nations report

Antigua and Barbuda

Bangladesh

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

China

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Egypt

Ethiopia

Guyana

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Iraq

Jamaica

Kuwait

Libya

Malaysia

Moratorium

Nigeria

Oman

Pakistan

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Sudan

Syrian Arab Republic

Trinidad and Tobago

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Zimbabwe

aresfrruzh-hant
More details See the document

The permanent missions to the United Nations in New York listed below have the honour to refer to General Assembly resolution 69/186, entitled “Moratorium on the use of the death penalty”, which was adopted by the Third Committee on 21 November 2014 and subsequently by the General Assembly on 18 December 2014 by a recorded vote. The permanent missions wish to place on record that they are in persistent objection to any attempt to impose a moratorium on the use of the death penalty or its abolition in contravention of existing stipulations under international law, for the following reasons:

Document(s)

Note verbale dated 16 April 2013 from the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

By United Nations, on 8 September 2020


United Nations report

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Barbados

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

Chad

China

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Egypt

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Eswatini

Ethiopia

Grenada

Guyana

India

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Iraq

Jamaica

Kuwait

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Libya

Malaysia

Mauritania

Moratorium

Myanmar

Nigeria

Oman

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

Qatar

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Solomon Islands

Somalia

Sudan

Syrian Arab Republic

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Uganda

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Zimbabwe

aresfrruzh-hant
More details See the document

The permanent missions to the United Nations in New York listed below have the honour to refer to General Assembly resolution 67/176, entitled “Moratorium on the use of the death penalty”, which was adopted by the Third Committee on 19 November 2012, and subsequently by the General Assembly on 20 December 2012 by a recorded vote. The permanent missions wish to place on record that they are in persistent objection to any attempt to impose a moratorium on the use of the death penalty or its abolition in contravention of existing stipulations under international law, for the following reasons:

Document(s)

Note verbale dated 11 March 2011 from the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

By United Nations, on 8 September 2020


United Nations report

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bahamas

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Barbados

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

Central African Republic

Chad

China

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominica

Egypt

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Eswatini

Ethiopia

Grenada

Guinea

Guyana

Indonesia

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Iraq

Jamaica

Kuwait

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Libya

Malaysia

Moratorium

Myanmar

Niger

Nigeria

Oman

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

Qatar

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Solomon Islands

Somalia

Sudan

Syrian Arab Republic

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Uganda

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Zimbabwe

aresfrruzh-hant
More details See the document

The permanent missions to the United Nations in New York listed below have the honour to refer to General Assembly resolution 65/206, entitled “Moratorium on the use of the death penalty”, which was adopted by the Third Committee on 11 November 2010, and subsequently by the General Assembly on 21 December 2010 by a recorded vote. The permanent missions wish to place on record that they are in persistent objection to any attempt to impose a moratorium on the use of the death penalty or its abolition in contravention of existing stipulations under international law, for the following reasons:

Document(s)

Note verbale dated 10 February 2009 from the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of Afghanistan, the Bahamas, […] and Zimbabwe addressed to the Secretary-General

By United Nations, on 8 September 2020


United Nations report

Afghanistan

Bahamas

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Barbados

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

Central African Republic

Chad

China

Comoros

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Dominica

Egypt

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Eswatini

Ethiopia

Fiji

Gambia

Grenada

Guinea

Guyana

Indonesia

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Iraq

Jamaica

Japan

Jordan

Kuwait

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Libya

Malaysia

Maldives

Mauritania

Mongolia

Moratorium

Myanmar

Niger

Nigeria

Papua New Guinea

Qatar

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Solomon Islands

Somalia

Sudan

Suriname

Syrian Arab Republic

Thailand

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Uganda

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Zimbabwe

aresfrruzh-hant
More details See the document

The Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York listed below present their compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and have the honour to refer to resolution 62/149, entitled “Moratorium on the use of the death penalty”, which was adopted by the Third Committee on 15 November 2007, and subsequently by the General Assembly on 18 December 2007 by a recorded vote. The Permanent Missions wish to place on record that they are in persistent objection to any attempt to impose a moratorium on the use of the death penalty or its abolition in contravention to existing stipulations under international law, for the following reasons:

Document(s)

Note verbale dated 11 January 2008 from the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, […] and Zimbabwe addressed to the Secretary-General

By United Nations, on 8 September 2020


United Nations report

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bahamas

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Barbados

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

Central African Republic

China

Comoros

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Dominica

Egypt

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Eswatini

Ethiopia

Fiji

Grenada

Guinea

Guyana

Indonesia

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Iraq

Jamaica

Japan

Jordan

Kuwait

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Libya

Malaysia

Maldives

Mauritania

Mongolia

Moratorium

Myanmar

Nigeria

Oman

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

Qatar

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Solomon Islands

Somalia

Sudan

Suriname

Syrian Arab Republic

Thailand

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Uganda

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Zimbabwe

aresfrruzh-hant
More details See the document

The Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York listed below present their compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and have the honour to refer to resolution 62/149, entitled “Moratorium on the use of the death penalty”, which was adopted by the Third Committee on 15 November 2007, and subsequently by the General Assembly on 18 December 2007 by a recorded vote. The Permanent Missions wish to place on record that they are in persistent objection to any attempt to impose a moratorium on the use of the death penalty or its abolition in contravention to existing stipulations under international law, for the following reasons:

Article(s)

US Federal Executions Resume

By Louis Linel, on 28 July 2020

It has been 17 years since the United States decided on a de facto moratorium on federal executions, which can be carried out only for certain federal criminal offences. This moratorium, however, ended in July.

2020

Moratorium

United States

Article(s)

COVID-19: Calling for a Worldwide Moratorium on the Death Penalty During the Pandemic

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 18 June 2020

“When the whole world is trying hard to save lives from COVID-19, an execution by the state is contradictory and perverse” said Kevin Miguel Rivera Medina, President of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty.

2020

Moratorium

Article(s)

The Abolition of the Death Penalty in Tunisia, a Fight Against Torture

By Organization Against Torture in Tunisia, on 18 June 2020

In its 2019 annual report, the Organization Against Torture in Tunisia (Organisation contre la torture en Tunisie, OCTT) denounced the death penalty and identified it as the most cruel form of torture.

Moratorium

Tunisia

Article(s)

The World Coalition welcomes the moratorium on executions in California

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 14 March 2019

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty welcomes the moratorium on executions announced by the Governor of the US State of California, Gavin Newsom. California has 737 prisoners on death row, about 25% of all US death row prisoners, and the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere. Fewer than 30% of nations still use […]

2019

Moratorium

United States

Article(s)

Death penalty: Global abolition closer than ever as record number of countries vote to end executions

By Amnesty International, on 17 December 2018

A record number of States – 121 out of 193 member states – voted in favour of a moratorium on the death penalty at the United Nations General Assembly on December the 17th. A world without the death penalty may become a reality according to Chiara Sangiorgio, Amnesty International’s Death Penalty Expert.

2018

Moratorium

Article(s)

Call for Moratorium on Executions Gains Record-High Support at Committee Vote

By Amnesty International & Comunità di Sant'Egidio, on 16 November 2018

Today the international community offered unprecedented support to a UN call to halt executions when the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly considered a draft resolution on a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

2018

Moratorium

Article(s)

A mission of the International Commission against the Death Penalty to the United States

By International Commission against the Death Penalty and Emmanuel Trépied, on 21 July 2017

A delegation of the International Commission against the Death Penalty met US Governors and Attorney Generals to discuss the situation of the death penalty in their respective states and issues related to possible steps towards ending the practice of capital punishment in the United States.

2017

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Moratorium

United States

Article(s)

Algeria: it’s time to move from the moratorium to the abolition

By Florence Bellivier et Lorène du Crest, on 24 May 2017

Organized by the National Algerian Committee in partnership with the Boumerdes bar association, a seminar on the death penalty took place the 28th and 29th of April in Algeria. Gathering mainly academics, lawyers and representatives of the civil society, this seminar had the ambition to contribute to the “long process for the final abolition of the death penalty in Algeria”. The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty was represented by Florence Bellivier, Deputy Secretary General of the International Federation of the Leagues of Human Rights (FIDH).

2017

Algeria

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

Article(s)

Civil society steps up against the end of a 60-year moratorium in the Maldives.

By Lorène du Crest, on 21 March 2017

Since the November 2013 elections, the Maldives have been moving towards the adoption of severe legal measures. On April, 27th 2014, the government decided to put an end to a 60-year moratorium.The civil society of Maldives is mobilizing against this worrying situation.

2017

Fair Trial

Juveniles

Maldives

Moratorium

Article(s)

The 6th International Conference on Human Rights issues a warning on the alarming situation in Bahrain

By Emmanuel Trépied and Coalition marocaine contre la peine de mort, on 10 March 2017

The World Coalition was invited to take part in the 6th international Conference on Human Rights, on February 22nd, 2017 in Beirut. addressing the very worrying situation in Bahrain, the event resulted in a series of calls and recommendations.

2017

Bahrain

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Fair Trial

Moratorium

Terrorism

Document(s)

Note verbale dated 7 September 2017 from the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

By United Nations, on 1 January 2017


2017

United Nations report

Antigua and Barbuda

Bangladesh

Barbados

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

Chad

China

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Egypt

Ethiopia

Grenada

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Iraq

Jamaica

Kuwait

Libya

Malaysia

Maldives

Moratorium

Nigeria

Oman

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Sudan

Syrian Arab Republic

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Zimbabwe

aresfrruzh-hant
More details See the document

The Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York listed below have the honour to refer to General Assembly resolution 71/187, entitled “Moratorium on the use of the death penalty”, which was adopted by the Third Committee on 17November 2016 and subsequently by the Assembly on 19 December 2016 by a recorded vote. The Permanent Missions wish to place on record that they are in persistent objection to any attemptto impose a moratorium on the use of the death penalty or its abolition in contravention of existing stipulations under international law, for the following reasons:

Article(s)

The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for a 6th resolution calling for a universal moratorium on executions

By Elise Guillot et Aurélie Plaçais, on 20 December 2016

On 19 December 2016, with 117 States voting in favour of the resolution, the UN member states reasserted their support for a universal moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

2016

Clemency

Moratorium

Article(s)

Towards the abolition of the death penalty in DRC: advances to be confirmed

By Olivier LUNGWE FATAKI - Pax Christi Uvira, on 13 December 2016

To date, the Democratic Republic of the Congo maintains the death penalty in its legislation. The proponents of the capital punishment argue that it remains an efficient tool for deterrence in general as well as a solution to the recurring criminal phenomenon hitting the country’s Eastern part.

2016

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

Article(s)

Renewed calls for the abolition of the death penalty at the NGO forum and the 59th Session of the ACHPR

By Jessica Corredor, on 25 November 2016

At the end of October, the civil society gathered for the NGO Forum preceding the 59th African Commission for Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR): an occasion to put the death penalty on the agenda of the African Commission and to make the calls for the abolition heard. Nonetheless, difficulties on the path towards the abolition in the African continent remain.

2016

Gambia

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

Article(s)

Death penalty: UN General Assembly human rights committee renews call for a moratorium on executions

By Amnesty International, on 23 November 2016

Today the overwhelming majority of UN member states once again threw their weight behind a UN General Assembly draft resolution to establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty. 115 of the UN’s 193 member states voted in favour of the proposal, with only 38 voting against it. The draft will now go before the UN General Assembly plenary for final adoption.

2016

Moratorium

Article(s)

Event on the UNGA resolution for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty at the World Congress

By Federica Merenda, on 27 June 2016

In the context of the 6th World Congress Against the Death Penalty, the World Coalition together with Hands Off Cain and Amnesty International co-hosted a side event focusing on the 6th UNGA resolution for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, whose adoption will be decided in New York in December this year.

2016

Moratorium

Article(s)

The United States Supreme Court’s End of Term Death Penalty Opinion is Against the US Trend Away from the Capital Punishment

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 14 July 2015

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty takes the opportunity to support the call of the United Nations Special Rapporteurs on Summary Executions and on Torture, for the establishment of a federal moratorium on the death penalty.

2015

Moratorium

United States

Article(s)

Applause for Pennsylvania’s death penalty moratorium

By Death Penalty Focus, "Free Mumia!" French Support Group, on 23 February 2015

Newly elected Governor Tom Wolf placed a moratorium on executions in Pennsylvania on 13 February until concerns about the fairness of the state’s death penalty system are addressed.

2015

Moratorium

United States

Article(s)

Executions in Jordan and Pakistan show need to go beyond moratorium

By Thomas Hubert, on 16 January 2015

The World Coalition and its members have criticised decisions by the governments of Jordan and Pakistan to reverse their policy of suspending executions despite a historic vote in favour of a moratorium on the use of the death penalty at the UN General Assembly.

2015

Jordan

Moratorium

Pakistan

Article(s)

117 countries vote for a global moratorium on executions

By Maria Donatelli, on 19 December 2014

The latest vote at the UN General Assembly shows wider support than ever for a resolution on a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

2014

Moratorium

Article(s)

Singapore breaks three-year moratorium on executions

on 21 July 2014

On 18 July 2014, Singapore executed two death row prisoners, Tang Hai Liang, 36, and Foong Chee Peng, 48, bringing to an end a three-year official moratorium established by the government in 2011 as part of the review process of the mandatory death penalty.

2014

Moratorium

Singapore

Article(s)

Improved access to unique global death penalty library

By Thomas Hubert, on 10 July 2014

The World Coalition has redesigned its online library to help visitors find the documents they need in its multilingual database of resources and campaigning tools on capital punishment.

2014

Clemency

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Death Row Conditions 

Drug Offenses

Fair Trial

Innocence

Intellectual Disability

Juveniles

Legal Representation

Mental Illness

Moratorium

Murder Victims' Families

Public Opinion 

Terrorism

Women

Article(s)

World Coalition supports international calls for American moratorium

By World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, on 6 May 2014

Following the botched execution of Clayton Lockett in Oklahoma on 29 April, the United Nations called on the United States to suspend executions in the face of potential international law violations. The World Coalition supports this appeal.

2014

Moratorium

United States

Article(s)

Belarus ends more than one year without execution

By Daria Gribanova, on 14 April 2014

Despite an execution this month, Amnesty International’s latest annual report on the death penalty shows Belarus did not kill any prisoner last year, meaning Europe and Central Asia was execution-free for the first time since 2009. This achievement bolsters local abolitionists – despite the risks they face in their activism.

2014

Belarus

Belarus

Moratorium

Article(s)

National conference gives Lebanese abolitionist movement a boost

By Thomas Hubert, on 14 February 2014

Several hundred activists, experts and political leaders met in Beirut at the end of January to push the abolitionist cause with the Lebanese authorities and organise their movement at the national level.

2014

Lebanon

Moratorium

Article(s)

Tunisian Constitution enshrines right to life but upholds death penalty

By Delphine Judith, on 28 January 2014

After weeks of debates, Tunisia has adopted a new Constitution. As expected by local abolitionists, the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) passed a text allowing capital punishment on 26 January 2014.

2014

Moratorium

Tunisia

Article(s)

Caribbean network fleshes out plans for abolition

By Emile Carreau, on 16 January 2014

The Executive Committee of the Greater Caribbean for Life (GCL) network, constituted in October 2013, met in San Juan, Puerto Rico on January 11 and 12 to devise strategies to combat the death penalty in the region.

2014

Moratorium

Trinidad and Tobago

Article(s)

West African governments and civil society discuss death penalty in Freetown

on 16 January 2014

Hands Off Cain organised a conference on the abolition and moratorium of the death penalty in West Africa on January 13 and 14, in partnership with the government of Sierra Leone and with support from the World Coalition, the European Union and FIACAT.

Benin

Guinea

Guyana

Italy

Mali

Moratorium

Niger

Rwanda

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

Togo

United Kingdom

Article(s)

Moving away from the death penalty in Asia

By Sandra Babcock (DeathPenaltyWorldwide.org) in Bangkok, on 25 October 2013

Following up on the World Day Against the Death Penalty, successive meetings in Thailand and in China highlight decreasing support for capital punishment among Asian governments and public opinion.

2013

Brunei Darussalam

China

Japan

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Moratorium

Myanmar

Public Opinion 

Thailand

Article(s)

Pakistan moratorium renewal welcomed

By Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, on 8 October 2013

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), a World Coalition member organisation, has welcomed the federal government’s announcement on continuing the moratorium on capital punishment and has called for a thorough review of the death penalty regime in the country.

2013

Moratorium

Pakistan

Pakistan

Article(s)

World Coalition opens dialogue with Iraq

By Florence Bellivier, on 16 September 2013

Iraq’s ambassador to Paris met representatives from the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty as the country has been accelerating the rhythm of executions.

2013

Iraq

Moratorium

Terrorism

Article(s)

Suspension of Pakistan executions not enough – ADPAN

By Thomas Hubert, on 22 August 2013

The Anti Death Penalty Asia Network calls for the restoration of a formal moratorium after the government postponed a wave of executions under pressure from international abolitionists.

2013

Moratorium

Pakistan

Pakistan

Article(s)

Pakistani authorities urged to renew moratorium

By Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, on 8 July 2013

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, a World Coalition member, has called on the government formed following recent elections to suspend executions. A previous moratorium order has expired and many prisoners are at risk of being hanged.While the 2008 moratorium was introduced under the rule of the Pakistan People Party, whose former leader Benazir Bhutto was a well-known abolitionist, it expired shortly after Nawaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League became Prime minister.
Pakistan had already broken the moratorium when it executed a soldier in November 2012.

2013

Moratorium

Pakistan

Pakistan

Article(s)

Asian progress paves the way for new strategies

By Thomas Hubert, on 20 June 2013

Although most executions continue to take place in Asia, their number is going down – and abolitionists are coming up with new ideas to bring about abolition.

2013

India

Japan

Malaysia

Mongolia

Moratorium

Singapore

Article(s)

Call for world lawyers to unite against the death penalty

By Thomas Hubert, on 15 June 2013

The Paris Bar Association (a World Coalition member) and its Beirut counterpart have called on lawyers worldwide to increase efforts to defend those facing the death penalty and to push for its abolition.

2013

Legal Representation

Moratorium

Spain

Article(s)

Only one in 10 countries carried out executions in 2012

By Tiziana Trotta, on 10 April 2013

At least 682 people were executed last year aside from China, according to Amnesty International.

2013

Afghanistan

Bahrain

Barbados

Belarus

Burkina Faso

China

Death Row Conditions 

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Egypt

Gambia

Ghana

Guyana

India

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Iraq

Malawi

Moratorium

Pakistan

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Syrian Arab Republic

Taiwan

Trinidad and Tobago

Viet Nam

Yemen

Article(s)

Organisation of American States considers moratorium

By Tiziana Trotta, on 15 March 2013

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights warns that litigation is insufficient to combat the death penalty.

2013

Argentina

Brazil

Costa Rica

Cuba

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Guatemala

Mexico

Moratorium

Panama

Suriname

Trinidad and Tobago

United States

Article(s)

Moroccan parliamentary network a new step towards abolition

By Delphine Judith, on 15 March 2013

Around 180 MPs from all political hues signed the founding charter of their network against the death penalty, which promises sustained legislative action in favour of abolition.

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Moratorium

Morocco

Article(s)

Central and Eastern African activists brainstorm for abolition

By Thomas Hubert, on 6 March 2013

February was a month of intense strategising for members of the regional coalition against the death penalty as well as region’s ACATs, as two meetings convened to discuss the best options to spur on Africa’s march towards abolition.

2013

Moratorium

Article(s)

First executions under Abe government raise fears of more

By Thomas Hubert, on 21 February 2013

Abolitionists worldwide protest the execution of three prisoners in Japan on 21st February and call on the new justice minister to heed international calls for restraint.

2013

Japan

Moratorium

Article(s)

Kazakh criminal law reform could add capital crimes

By Thomas Hubert, on 15 February 2013

As Kazakhstan’s authorities prepare to introduce a new penal code, World Coalition members are warning against attempts to broaden the offences punishable by death.

2013

Kazakhstan

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

Article(s)

Death penalty at the heart of human rights review

By Thomas Hubert, on 5 February 2013

The Taiwanese authorities have been conducting a voluntary assessment of the human rights situation in the country, culminating in the visit of a panel of experts in late February. The World Coalition is taking part in the process.

2013

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Moratorium

Taiwan

Taiwan

Article(s)

Briton’s death sentence puts Indonesians at risk

By KontraS, on 31 January 2013

The World Coalition’s Indonesian member organization KontraS has raised the international consequences of Lindsay Sandiford’s high-profile capital case in an opinion article published by the Jakarta Globe newspaper, calling on the country to abolish the death penalty.

2013

Drug Offenses

Indonesia

Moratorium

Article(s)

World’s nations call for execution freeze

By Maria Donatelli, on 20 December 2012

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty welcomes the adoption by a growing number of United Nations member States of a fourth resolution calling for a universal moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

2012

Bahrain

Central African Republic

Chad

Dominica

Juveniles

Maldives

Moratorium

Oman

Papua New Guinea

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

South Sudan

Sri Lanka

Tunisia

Women

Article(s)

Building a death penalty-free future in Asia

By Aurélie Plaçais, on 6 December 2012

Ways to strengthen transregional action led by Asian activists and ideas to combat obstruction from national authorities were among the issues discussed at the third ADPAN consultative meeting.

2012

Australia

Bangladesh

China

India

Indonesia

Japan

Malaysia

Mongolia

Moratorium

Pakistan

Philippines

Republic of Korea

Singapore

Taiwan

Thailand

Article(s)

West African ACATs focus on public opinion and lobbying

By Guillaume Colin (FIACAT), on 28 November 2012

Participants to the meeting held by FIACAT in Senegal mid-November received training on regional abolitionist activism and set priorities for their actions.

2012

Benin

Burkina Faso

Côte d'Ivoire

Ghana

Liberia

Mali

Moratorium

Niger

Public Opinion 

Senegal

Togo

Article(s)

UN General Assembly Committee adopts draft moratorium resolution

By Maria Donatelli, on 20 November 2012

A majority of the world’s nations have approved a text calling for a global moratorium on executions, with stronger support than in a previous vote two years ago.

2012

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Botswana

Central African Republic

Croatia

Cuba

Egypt

India

Indonesia

Japan

Malaysia

Maldives

Mauritania

Moratorium

Morocco

Niger

Oman

Singapore

South Sudan

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Suriname

Tunisia

Viet Nam

Article(s)

Abolitionists from the whole Arab World hold their first congress

By Aurélie Plaçais, on 22 October 2012

The Regional Congress on the Death Penalty held in Rabat, Morocco between 18-20 October highlighted the key role of civil society in pushing the abolitionist agenda in a region affected by deep changes.

2012

Algeria

Egypt

Jordan

Mauritania

Moratorium

Morocco

Public Opinion 

Tunisia

Article(s)

A Moratorium acts as a “truce” for the death penalty

on 23 August 2012

Hands Off Cain published its annual report in August. President of Sierra Leone Ernest Bai Koroma wrote the introduction and the book has been dedicated to Rwanda.

2012

Benin

Burundi

Ethiopia

Ghana

Guinea

Latvia

Maldives

Mauritania

Mongolia

Moratorium

Morocco

Myanmar

Nigeria

Rwanda

Sierra Leone

South Africa

Suriname

Uganda

United States

Zambia

Document(s)

2012 Report – Moratorium on the use of the death penalty

By United Nations, on 3 August 2012


2012

United Nations report

Moratorium

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More details See the document

The present report is submitted to the General Assembly pursuant to its resolution 65/206. It discusses the trend towards abolition of the death penalty and the establishment of a moratorium on execution. The report also reflects on the application of international standards relating to the protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty. It further discusses the importance of making available relevant information with regard to the use of the death penalty, which can contribute to transparent national debates and international and regional initiatives for the promotion of the universal abolition of the death penalty.

Article(s)

10 years, 132 members, 45 countries

By Florence Bellivier, on 30 June 2012

Penal Reform International welcomed the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty to celebrate its tenth anniversary in Jordan with support from Justice Minister Khalifa Al Sulaiman.

2012

Drug Offenses

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Iraq

Jordan

Moratorium

Singapore

Taiwan

Article(s)

The death penalty at the heart of ACHPR debates

on 18 May 2012

The 51st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) was held in Banjul from April 18 to May 2, 2012. During the session, the Commission presented its “Study on the question of the death penalty in Africa” prepared by the Working Group on the death penalty of the ACHPR.

2012

Angola

Burundi

Gabon

Moratorium

Rwanda

Somalia

South Sudan

Sudan

Togo

Article(s)

Migrant workers facing capital punishment show need for alternative sentences

By Think Centre, on 26 April 2012

Four Singapore-based organisations denounce the high risk of miscarriage of justice in recent death sentences handed down on poor immigrants and calls for the abolition of the death penalty in the city-state.

2012

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Moratorium

Singapore

Article(s)

Alarming levels of executions in few countries – Amnesty

on 27 March 2012

In a new report, Amnesty International analyses some of the key developments in the worldwide application of the death penalty, citing figures it has gathered on the number of death sentences handed down and executions carried out in 2011.

2012

Bahrain

Belarus

China

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Iraq

Moratorium

Nigeria

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

South Sudan

Tunisia

Article(s)

A challenge to the abolitionist movement

By Sandra Babcock, on 16 December 2011

Over the last few decades, we have made great strides toward the universal abolition of the death penalty.  Nevertheless, despite the progress we have made, the death penalty remains entrenched in a significant number of states.  And even in those nations that have refrained from carrying out executions in a sort of de facto moratorium, […]

2011

Intellectual Disability

Malawi

Mental Illness

Mexico

Moratorium

United States

Article(s)

World Day Buzz In Africa

By Emile Carreau, on 6 October 2011

Conferences, round tables, talks, tours, meetings with politicians, debates, press conferences, sit-ins, cultural evenings, marches and speeches are among the many events that will take place in Africa for this 9th World Day Against the Death Penalty.

2011

Benin

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Moratorium

Murder Victims' Families

Public Opinion 

Rwanda

Article(s)

Sharing best practices on ratifying the UN treaty to abolish the death penalty

By Aurélie Plaçais, on 25 September 2011

Belgium and the United Nations’ human rights office have held a panel discussion to promote efforts in favour of the strongest international instrument against capital punishment.

2011

Belgium

Mongolia

Moratorium

Russian Federation

Article(s)

South Korea’s 5,000th day without an execution an opportunity for abolition

By Martin Carbonell with ADPAN and MVFHR, on 8 September 2011

8th September 2011 marks the 5,000th day without executions in South Korea. Houng-oh Kim, a member of the National Assembly and former Speaker, is aiming to introduce a new bill abolishing the death penalty to mark this occasion.

2011

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Moratorium

Republic of Korea

Article(s)

Asia still top executioner but more divided than ever: Hands Off Cain Report

By Aurélie Plaçais, on 11 August 2011

Hands Off Cain’s 2011 Report contains the most important facts regarding the practice of the death penalty in 2010 and the first six months of 2011.

2011

China

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Drug Offenses

India

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Mongolia

Moratorium

Myanmar

Viet Nam

Article(s)

India asked to maintain the moratorium on executions

By Emile Carreau, on 28 July 2011

After a six year moratorium on executions, India’s President Patil has rejected the mercy petition of two Indian nationals despite international outcry to maintain the moratorium.

2011

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Drug Offenses

India

Moratorium

Article(s)

Will Arab revolutions bring new hope for abolition?

on 4 April 2011

The winds of change have brought fresh air to the abolitionist cause in countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa, with new faces in power reigniting a stalled debate.

2011

Algeria

Egypt

Lebanon

Mauritania

Moratorium

Morocco

Public Opinion 

Syrian Arab Republic

Terrorism

Tunisia

Yemen

Article(s)

Amnesty 2010 stats: retentionist countries increasingly isolated

on 28 March 2011

Countries which continue to use the death penalty are being left increasingly isolated following a decade of progress towards abolition, Amnesty International has said in its new report Death Sentences and Executions in 2010.

2011

China

Drug Offenses

Egypt

Fair Trial

Indonesia

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Juveniles

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Libya

Malaysia

Moratorium

Pakistan

Sudan

Thailand

United Arab Emirates

United States

Yemen

Article(s)

Gabon quietly joins the abolitionist camp

on 4 March 2011

The West African nation outlawed the death penalty in February 2010 and then kept the secret for over a year.

2011

Gabon

Gabon

Moratorium

Article(s)

Outrage as Iran’s execution figures explode

on 12 February 2011

Iran hanged 121 people in six weeks between 20 December 2010 and 31 January 2011, many of them after unfair trails and for crimes that did not result in a person’s death.

2011

Drug Offenses

Fair Trial

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Juveniles

Moratorium

Article(s)

UN resolution: the abolitionist front grows stronger again

on 22 December 2010

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty welcomes the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of a third resolution calling for a universal moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

2010

Moratorium

Article(s)

Kyrgyzstan becomes 73rd country to pass irreversible abolition

on 17 December 2010

Following one year of lobbying led by the World Coalition, the Central Asian country has become a party to the UN protocol on the abolition of the death penalty.

2010

Kyrgyzstan

Moratorium

Article(s)

NGOs seek abolition before African human rights body, The Gambia bucks the trend

on 26 November 2010

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights met in Banjul between November 10-24. A group of abolitionist organisations took part in the conference.

2010

Drug Offenses

Gambia

Moratorium

Article(s)

United Nations headed for new moratorium resolution

on 15 November 2010

A proposed United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for a global suspension of executions has gained the support of two more countries pending a plenary vote next month.

2010

Bhutan

Kiribati

Maldives

Mongolia

Moratorium

Togo

Article(s)

California’s moratorium holds

on 11 October 2010

A few days out from the World Day Against the Death Penalty, California has decided not to resume executions. A shortage of one of the drugs used for lethal injections gives death row inmates and abolitionists more time to continue the legal battle.

2010

Clemency

Mental Illness

Moratorium

United States

Article(s)

FIDH report on Vietnam: an update on death penalty statistics

on 19 September 2010

The FIDH and the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights released a new report, From Visions to Facts: Human Rights in Vietnam under its Chairmanship of ASEAN, on 16 August 2010.

2010

Drug Offenses

Moratorium

Viet Nam

Viet Nam

Article(s)

Japan executions “a step backward for Asia”

on 30 July 2010

Activists in Japan and elsewhere have criticised Justice Minister Keiko Chiba for ordering two men to be hanged in Tokyo on July 28 despite her earlier abolitionist statements.

2010

Japan

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

Taiwan

Article(s)

Abolitionists block Nigerian executions

on 9 July 2010

Legal action by local activists and pressure from international organizations have succeeded in stopping plans by Nigeria’s authorities to execute hundreds of death row inmates.

2010

Fair Trial

Innocence

Legal Representation

Moratorium

Nigeria

Nigeria

Terrorism

Article(s)

Taiwan breaks five-year moratorium on executions

on 6 May 2010

Abolitionists have lashed out at Taiwan’s government for the surprise execution of four death row inmates in contradiction to its public commitment to work towards the abolition of capital punishment.

2010

Moratorium

Taiwan

Taiwan

Article(s)

Belarusian setback on the way to abolition

on 2 April 2010

After one year of encouraging signals from Belarus, the last European country with the death penalty has brutally resumed secretive executions and the harassment of abolitionist activists.

2010

Belarus

Belarus

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Moratorium

Article(s)

Taiwan activists battle in death penalty-triggered political crisis

on 19 March 2010

After Taiwan’s justice minister was forced to step down for not signing execution warrants, local and international abolitionists rushed in to restore a balanced debate and protect the country’s 44 death row inmates.

2010

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

Taiwan

Taiwan

Article(s)

“Academics can enable activists with technology”

on 28 February 2010

Luis Arroyo Zapatero is the head of the Institute for European and International law at the University of Castilla-La-Mancha. In 2009, he kick-started the foundation of the International Academic Network for the Abolition of Capital Punishment.

2010

Moratorium

Women

Article(s)

Pushing for abolition in the Middle East and in North Africa

on 28 February 2010

According to Amnesty International (2009), 21% of world executions take place in the Middle-East and North Africa. Only one of the 22 Arab League countries is abolitionist: Djibouti.

Algeria

Fair Trial

Jordan

Moratorium

Poland

Turkey

Article(s)

Final Declaration 4th World Congress Against the Death Penalty

on 26 February 2010

The participants to the World Congress Against the Death Penalty have handed over their final declaration to the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay.

2010

Moratorium

Article(s)

Abolitionist co-operation at all levels kick-started in Geneva

on 24 February 2010

The first plenary session of the World Congress Against the Death Penalty focused on “increasing cooperation between States, NGOs and international organizations and developing common strategies for a death penalty-free world”.

2010

China

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Moratorium

Switzerland

Article(s)

Mongolian president calls for abolition

on 18 January 2010

In a vibrant speech before the parliament on January 14, President Elbegdorj Tsakhia of Mongolia developed all the arguments put forward by the abolitionist community.

2010

Clemency

Mongolia

Moratorium

Article(s)

Europe and Japan share “Reflections on life”

on 8 December 2009

Speaking at a symposium on the death penalty organised in Tokyo by the Swedish presidency of the European Union, a Japanese minister expressed his commitment for abolition.

2009

Innocence

Japan

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

Article(s)

Sweden and Amnesty International raise death penalty issue in New York

on 7 October 2009

Upcoming United Nations resolutions for a moratorium on executions and progress towards abolition across Africa were among the subjects discussed on the fringe of the UN General Assembly in New York.

2009

Moratorium

Sweden

United States

Article(s)

Africa moving towards regional abolition treaty

on 5 October 2009

The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights organised its first regional conference on the death penalty in Africa in late September.

2009

Moratorium

Rwanda

Article(s)

African Commission urges Gaddafi not to kill Nigerian convicts

on 20 September 2009

The African human rights watchdog has asked Libya not to execute 20 Nigerians on death row in the North African country after a Nigerian NGO highlighted their plight.

2009

Libya

Moratorium

Nigeria

Article(s)

Madrid Declaration calls for immediate moratorium in Arab Countries

on 16 July 2009

National experts and civil society representatives from took part in a seminar in Madrid on 14 and 15 July 2009 at the invitation of Casa Arabe and the Spanish ministry for foreign affairs and cooperation.

2009

Moratorium

Spain

Article(s)

Belarus moratorium a condition for closer ties with Europe

on 23 June 2009

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has decided not to restore Belarus’s special guest status until the country establishes a moratorium on the death penalty.

2009

Belarus

Belarus

Moratorium

Article(s)

Joint Italian-Congolese effort against capital punishment

on 16 June 2009

World Coalition member organisation Hands Off Cain has launched a campaign targeting DRC’s opinion leaders. The government regards the renovation of the prison system as a prerequisite for abolition.

2009

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Italy

Moratorium

Article(s)

Togo on the path to abolition

on 8 January 2009

While the World celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the Togolese government decided to abolish the death penalty.

2009

Moratorium

Togo

Article(s)

UN resolution: the abolitionist front gets stronger

on 19 December 2008

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty welcomes the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of a second resolution calling for a universal moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

2008

Algeria

Bahrain

Chad

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Jordan

Kiribati

Mauritania

Moratorium

Oman

Seychelles

Article(s)

Algerian MPs want to abolish the death penalty

on 9 December 2008

A group of Algerian parliamentarians has filed a bill aimed at abolishing capital punishment. The World Coalition supports their campaign to have the proposed legislation passed.

2008

Algeria

Moratorium

Article(s)

Activists from Burundi, Rwanda and DR Congo join forces

on 3 December 2008

The Great Lakes Regional Coalition Against the Death Penalty held its first meeting on November 17 in Kinshasa. Its lobbying efforts have accelerated Burundi’s legislative process.

2008

Burundi

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Moratorium

Rwanda

Article(s)

Nations of the world to vote on fresh moratorium resolution

on 8 November 2008

As the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly gets under way in New York, the spotlight is once again put on a text calling for a global moratorium on executions.

2008

Moratorium

Article(s)

Two days to discuss abolition in Morocco

on 27 October 2008

Gathered in Rabat on World Day Against the Death Penalty, Moroccan and international politicians, religious leaders and campaigners held advanced discussions on this subject. The country has not carried out a single execution in the last fifteen years.

2008

Moratorium

Morocco

Article(s)

Helping South Korea on its progress towards abolition

on 22 October 2008

On October 10, World Day Against the Death Penalty, the World Coalition took part in a South Korean event aimed at bringing lawmakers closer to the abolition of capital punishment.

2008

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

Republic of Korea

Article(s)

Africa takes a good look at the death penalty

on 5 August 2008

A working group of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights is preparing a report on capital punishment on the continent.

2008

Eswatini

Moratorium

Article(s)

Interview: Pakistan on its way to a moratorium?

on 25 July 2008

Pakistan’s new government has called on all death sentences in the country to be commuted to life imprisonment. Pakistani lawyer and human rights defender Kamran Arif believes a moratorium is at hand.

2008

Clemency

Moratorium

Pakistan

Pakistan

Article(s)

China refuses to consider 250,000-strong petition

on 16 June 2008

A World Coalition delegation found the door closed on June 16 when they attempted to handover to the Chinese Liaison Office in Hong Kong a petition urging for changes in the death penalty system in China.

2008

China

Fair Trial

Innocence

Moratorium

Article(s)

The Arab civil society calls for a moratorium on capital punishment

on 6 June 2008

Between 12-14 May, representatives from Arab civil society organisations gathered in Alexandria, Egypt at the invitation of the Swedish Institute to discuss the implementation of the UN moratorium on the use of the death penalty in the Arab world.

2008

Egypt

Moratorium

Article(s)

Mali: is abolition in sight?

on 4 June 2008

With public meetings, football matches and media action Malian activists have been covering all bases to try to push through adoption of a law abolishing the death penalty before the end of the parliamentary session.

2008

Innocence

Mali

Mali

Moratorium

Article(s)

Death sentence in the Palestinian Territories

on 18 April 2008

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty calls on President Mahmoud Abbas to declare an official moratorium on the death penalty and not to ratify Mr Tha’er Rmailat’s death sentence.

2008

Moratorium

State of Palestine

Article(s)

US Supreme Court revives “failed” death penalty

on 17 April 2008

The World Coalition condemns the April 16th decision of the United States Supreme Court upholding the lethal injection as a humane method of executing a human being.

2008

Moratorium

United States

Article(s)

Mobilisation gathers pace in Tunisia

on 7 April 2008

The Tunisian Coalition Against the Death Penalty has launched a campaign combining support for an abolition bill and reaction to the sentencing of a man sentenced for terrorism.

2008

Fair Trial

Moratorium

Tunisia

Article(s)

Open letter to the China National People’s Congress

on 26 February 2008

The World Coalition and ADPAN are publicising an open letter to the China National People’s Congress demanding concrete steps towards the abolition of the death penalty in China.

2008

China

Fair Trial

Moratorium

Article(s)

MEPs call on Guatemala not to reinstate capital punishment

on 25 February 2008

Members of the European Parliament Hélène Flautre and Raimon Obiols have called on Guatemala to maintain its moratorium on the death penalty after the Central American country passed dangerous legislation.

2008

Clemency

Guatemala

Moratorium

Article(s)

For ACATs, every executed person “is one of us”

on 22 January 2008

Wherever the Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (ACAT) is present, the struggle against the death penalty is an important element within their commitment to respect for human dignity.

2008

Benin

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Germany

Moratorium

Public Opinion 

Spain

Article(s)

Activists celebrate abolition in Uzbekistan

on 7 January 2008

Uzbekistan became the first state to abolish the death penalty in 2008. World Coalition members Community of Sant’Egidio and Mothers Against the Death Penalty, who have led a campaign in the region, welcome the move.

2008

Moratorium

Uzbekistan

Article(s)

Hands Off Cain holds moratorium conference in Gabon

on 11 December 2007

The Italian-based abolitionist group organised the event in Libreville on December 10, Human Rights Day 2007, with the government of Gabon and financial backing from the Dutch government.

2007

Burundi

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Gabon

Gabon

Mali

Moratorium

Article(s)

Tuscany against the death penalty

on 1 December 2007

The Italian province celebrated the anniversary of the first law to ever abolish the death penalty on November 28.

2007

Italy

Moratorium

Article(s)

Opportunity to end US lethal injections

on 15 November 2007

Executions are currently on hold in the US pending a Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of lethal injections. This is an opportunity for action from abolitionists, especially among the medical professions.

2007

Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Moratorium

United States

Article(s)

A significant step towards universal abolition

on 15 November 2007

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty welcomes the vote by the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly of a resolution calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty worldwide.

Moratorium

Article(s)

UN receives five million signatures in favour of a moratorium on executions

on 8 November 2007

A delegation of World Coalition member organisations has handed over the petition to United Nations General Assembly president Srgjan Kerim.

2007

Moratorium

Article(s)

“Ending the death penalty in Lebanon and worldwide”

on 5 November 2007

Over 75 people attended the conference focussing on the legal and social perspectives of the abolition of capital punishment in Beyrouth on October 17.

2007

Lebanon

Moratorium

Murder Victims' Families

Article(s)

World Coalition hands 5 million signatures over to the UN

on 1 November 2007

The President of UN General Assembly is to receive 5 million signatures calling for a moratorium on executions collected worldwide by the Community of Sant’Egidio and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty.

2007

Albania

Angola

Brazil

Croatia

Gabon

Mexico

Moratorium

New Zealand

Philippines

Portugal

Article(s)

Speaking out in favour of a global moratorium on executions

on 25 October 2007

Together with filmmaker Tim Robbins, abolitionists launched an appeal from New York to support the proposed UN resolution imposing a freeze on executions. Five million people signed the petition supporting this initiative. Watch the video.

2007

Moratorium

Article(s)

World Day campaign launched!

on 13 August 2007

The countdown to the fifth World Day Against the Death Penalty on October 10 has begun. It will focus on the proposed resolution against capital punishment to be discussed in the UN this autumn.

2007

Moratorium

Article(s)

Arab abolitionists organise to act together

on 8 August 2007

Abolitionists in the Arab World have been generating increased mobilisation and improved co-ordination, with the assistance of Penal Reform International, a member of the World Coalition.

2007

Algeria

Egypt

Jordan

Lebanon

Moratorium

Morocco

State of Palestine

Tunisia

Yemen

Article(s)

Europe to lead the abolitionist way

on 29 June 2007

European institutions have decided to press a resolution against the death penalty at the next General Assembly and to mark an official European Day against the Death Penalty on October 10th.

2007

Moratorium

Article(s)

5th World Day against the death penalty: the world decides!

By Thomas Hubert, on 29 June 2007

On October 10th, 2007, the World Day against the Death Penalty focussed on the proposed UN General Assembly resolution for a universal moratorium on executions. The proposal would save lives and give the population of retentionist states an opportunity to see for themselves that a pause in death sentences does not lead to higher crime rates.

Moratorium