International law - Regional body

The Death Penalty in the OSCE Area: Background Paper 2019

By Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), on 1 January 2019



Fifty-five (55) OSCE participating States have either completely abolished the death penalty or maintain moratoria on executions as an important first step towards abolition. However, in a global context where discussions focus on the threat of terrorism and a need to be tough on crime, it is perhaps not surprising that the question of reintroducing the death penalty surfaces at times, including in the OSCE region. It is, therefore, a good moment to reflect on the reasons why there is still support for the death penalty, considering the growing understanding that capital punishment is a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. Some of the most persistent arguments used to justify the use of the death penalty and its possible reintroduction will be discussed in the report.

  • Document type International law - Regional body
  • Themes list Trend Towards Abolition,



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