Wikipedia
Capital punishment by country
Capital punishment, also called the death penalty, is the state-sanctioned killing of a person as a punishment for a crime. It has historically been used in almost every part of the world. By the 2020s, many countries had abolished or discontinued the practice.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] In 2022[update], the 5 countries that executed the most people were, in descending order, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United States.[8]
Maintain the death penalty in both law and practice
Abolished in practice (no execution in over 10 years and under a moratorium)
Abolished in law, except in exceptional circumstances, such as war
Completely abolished
The 193 United Nations member states and 2 observer states fall into 4 categories based on their use of capital punishment. As of 2024[update]:[9]
- 53 (27%) maintain the death penalty in law and practice.
- 23 (11%) permit its use but have abolished it de facto: per Amnesty International standards, they have not used it for at least 10 years and are believed to have a policy or practice of not carrying out executions.[10]
- 10 (5%) have abolished it for all crimes except those committed under exceptional circumstances (such as during war), most recently Ghana (2023).
- 109 (56%) have completely abolished it, most recently the Central African Republic (2022).
Since 1990, at least 11 countries have executed offenders who were minors (under the age of 18 or 21) at the time the crime was committed, which is a breach of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by all countries but the United States. These are China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Sudan, the United States, and Yemen.[11][12][13] In the United States, this ended in 2005 with the Supreme Court case Roper v. Simmons, in Nigeria in 2015 by law,[14] and in Saudi Arabia in 2020 by royal decree.[15]
Global overview edit
Africa edit
In Africa, many countries maintain the death penalty in law. Some such countries, such as Algeria and Cameroon, have moratoriums and have not used it for over a decade, making them abolitionist in practice. In Nigeria, some states are de facto abolitionist while others are retentionist.
In 2018, Burkina Faso repealed the death penalty for civilian crimes, and the Gambia announced a moratorium as a first step towards abolition.[16] Sierra Leone abolished capital punishment in 2021, as did the Central African Republic in 2022.[17][18][19] For civilian crimes, Equatorial Guinea and Zambia abolished it in 2022, and Ghana did so in 2023.[20]
Americas edit
In Caribbean countries, the death penalty exists at least de jure, except in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which abolished it in 1969 and 1987, respectively. Grenada is abolitionist in practice; its last execution was in 1978. The last execution in the Caribbean, and the last in the Americas outside the United States, was in Saint Kitts and Nevis, in 2008. In Central and South America, the death penalty exists in Belize and Guyana, though it has not been used since 1985 and 1997. In Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Peru, executions are legal in some circumstances, such as war crimes, and were abolished for civil crimes. In 1976, Canada abolished the death penalty for non-military offences; in 1999, it abolished it for military offences. In 2005, Mexico abolished the death penalty; in 2009 Argentina abolished it.
Asia edit
China is the world's most active user of the death penalty; according to Amnesty International, China executes more people than the rest of the world combined, each year.[21] In December 2015, Mongolia repealed the death penalty for all crimes,[22] and in June 2022, Kazakhstan abolished it completely.[23]
India rarely executes criminals, carrying out just 30 executions since 1991.[24] India most recently executed 4 perpetrators of a gang rape and murder case in March 2020.[25]
Japan sometimes executes criminals, carrying out 130 executions since 1993. Japan most recently executed Tomohiro Katō in July 2022.[26]
According to a 2017 report by the National Human Rights Commission from Myanmar, over 700 prisoners in 26 prisons across the country had death sentences commuted to life imprisonment.[27]
Singapore resumed executions in March 2022 after a two-year moratorium due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Singapore came under scrutiny for executing drug traffickers in several high-profile cases, including Nagaenthran Dharmalingam who was hanged in April 2022,[28] and Tangaraju Suppiah who was hanged in April 2023.[29] In July 2023, a convicted drug trafficker named Saridewi binte Djamani was executed, becoming the first female offender hanged in Singapore in 19 years, after the 2004 hanging of Yen May Woen.[30] Singapore's first execution for murder since 2019 was carried out in February 2024, when Bangladeshi painter Ahmed Salim was hanged for murdering his ex-girlfriend in 2018.[31]
Europe edit
The European Union holds a strong position against the death penalty; its abolition is a key objective for the Union's human rights policy. Abolition is also a pre-condition for entry into the European Union. In Europe, only Belarus continues to actively use capital punishment.[32][33][34][35]
Capital punishment has been completely abolished in all European countries except for Belarus and Russia, the latter of which has a moratorium and has not conducted an execution since 1996. The absolute ban on the death penalty is enshrined in both the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (EU) and two widely adopted protocols of the European Convention on Human Rights of the Council of Europe, and is thus considered a central value. Of all present European countries, San Marino, Portugal and the Netherlands were the first to abolish capital punishment; Romania banned it even earlier in 1864, but it was much later reintroduced from 1936 to 1990; in Italy the nationwide ban on the death penalty dates from 1889 (capital punishment had previously not been in force in Tuscany alone since 1859, and even earlier for short periods starting from 1786), but it was then reintroduced during the fascist regime; now only Belarus still uses capital punishment. In 2012, Latvia became the last EU member state to abolish capital punishment in wartime.[36]
Post-Soviet states edit
Russia retains the death penalty in law, but there has been a moratorium since 1996, making it de facto abolitionist. The last execution on Russian territory was in Chechnya in 1999. Of the other former Soviet republics, only Belarus and Tajikistan have not formally abolished capital punishment, and only Belarus uses it in practice. In 2000, Ukraine abolished the death penalty completely.
Oceania edit
The Kingdom of Tahiti (when the island was independent) was the first legislative assembly in the world to abolish the death penalty in 1824. Tahiti commuted the death penalty to banishment.[37] Nearly all countries in this region have abolished the death penalty as a form of punishment, and the last country that still has it in law (Tonga) has not used it since 1982 and is considered de facto abolitionist. Australia abolished the death penalty completely in 1985.
Human Development Index edit
There are 65 sovereign states with a very high human development according to the 2021/2022 Human Development Report.[38] Of these:
- 14 (22%) maintain the death penalty in both law and practice: Singapore, Japan, the United States, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Belarus, Malaysia,[a] and Thailand.
- 3 (5%) permit its use, but have not used it for at least 10 years and are believed to have a policy or established practice of not carrying out executions: South Korea, Brunei, and Russia.
- 2 (3%) have abolished it for all crimes except those committed under exceptional circumstances (such as during war): Israel and Chile.
- 46 (71%) have completely abolished it, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Singapore has the highest Human Development Index of all the countries that use the death penalty, while Japan has both the highest inequality-adjusted HDI and the highest planetary pressures–adjusted HDI.
Developed countries edit
As of 2022, 36 of the 40 countries and territories that are classified by the IMF as developed countries (advanced economies), including the non-UN-members Hong Kong, Macau[40] have completely abolished the death penalty. Only the United States, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan retain the death penalty for ordinary crimes, and Israel for crimes under exceptional circumstances (such as during war).
Numbers executed in 2022 edit
At least 21 countries performed executions in 2022[update]:[8][41][42]
- Americas (1 country): United States (18)
- Asia (13 countries): Afghanistan (unknown), Bangladesh (4), China (unknown), Iran (596+), Iraq (unknown), Japan (1), Kuwait (7), North Korea (unknown), Saudi Arabia (146), Singapore (11), Syria (unknown), Vietnam (unknown), Yemen (1)
- Africa (3 countries): Egypt (unknown), Somalia (19), South Sudan (2)
Precise numbers are not available for many countries, so the total number of executions is unknown. Other countries, like Burma and Libya, have conducted extrajudicial executions.
Capital punishment by continents edit
Africa edit
There are 54 United Nations member states in Africa. Of these:
- 12 (22%) maintain the death penalty in both law and practice.
- 14 (26%) permit its use but have not used it for at least 10 years and are believed to have a policy of not carrying out executions.
- 4 (7%) have abolished it for all crimes except those committed under exceptional circumstances (such as during war).
- 24 (44%) have completely abolished it.
Many African countries have carried out no executions for over 10 years, but are not believed to have an abolitionist policy or established practice.
Nigeria is only retentionist in the northern states that use sharia law, and in some southern states such as Imo. Many southern states are abolitionist in practice due to a moratorium that has been in place since 2004.
The countries in Africa that most recently abolished the death penalty are Ghana (2023), Zambia (2022) and Equatorial Guinea (2022) for ordinary crimes,[clarification needed] Zimbabwe (2024), Central African Republic (2022) and Sierra Leone (2021) for all crimes.
Executions in Africa in 2019: Botswana (1), Egypt (29+), Somalia (13+), South Sudan (7+).[43][44]
| Key | Country | Year of last execution | Executions 2019 | Year abolished | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 1993 | n/a | Firing Squad, shooting. Death penalty for treason; espionage; aggravated murder; castration resulting in death; arson (or destruction using explosive devices) of buildings, vehicles or harvests resulting in death; intentional destruction of military equipment resulting in death; attempts to change the regime or actions aimed at incitement; destruction of territory; sabotage to public and economic utilities; massacres and slaughters; participation in armed bands or in insurrectionary movements; counterfeiting; terrorism; acts of torture or cruelty; kidnapping; aggravated theft; some military offences; poisoning; attempting a death-eligible offense; some cases of recidivism and perjury leading to a death sentence pronounced.[45] Currently under a moratorium. On 20 December 2012, Algeria co-sponsored and voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty at the UN General Assembly.[46] | ||
| Angola | 1977[47] | 1992 | Abolished in 1992 by Constitution. | ||
| Benin | 1987 | 2012 | On 6 July 2012, Benin acceded to the Second Additional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which makes Benin abolitionist.[48] The decision was upheld by the Constitutional Court in January 2016 although the death penalty is still present in statutes.[10] | ||
| Botswana | 2021[49] | 1 | n/a | Hanging, and state also has power to determine method of execution by offense committed. Death penalty for murder; espionage; treason; attempt on the life of the head of state; mutiny; desertion in the face of the enemy, aggravated piracy and terrorism. Persons excused from capital punishment are pregnant women, teenagers who were younger than 18 at time of crime, and the mentally ill.[50] | |
| Burkina Faso | 1988 | N/A (Military) 2018 (Civilian)[51] | Death penalty still retained for war crimes. Capital punishment was abolished for other offenses in 2018.[52] | ||
| Burundi | 2000[53] | 2009[54] | Death penalty abolished in revised 2009 criminal code. Extrajudicial executions are still commonplace.[55] Despite having abolished capital punishment, Burundi voted against the UN Moratorium on the Death Penalty in 2016. | ||
| Cameroon | 1997[56] | n/a | Hanging, firing squad, shooting. Death penalty for secession; espionage; treason; terrorism; aggravated murder; premeditated murder; violent theft leading to death or causing grievous bodily harm; abduction of a minor resulting in the death of that minor; assault on a state employee with intent to kill; attempt of a death-eligible crime and conspiracy to commit a death-eligible crime; plundering by gangs using force during times of war and incitement to war.[57][58] In February 2014, the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, commuted all persons condemned to the death penalty to life in prison. The decree commuted their sentences to 25 years incarceration.[59] However, death sentences have continued to be handed down as of 2016[update].[60] | ||
| Cape Verde | *None since independence in 1975 (1835, before independence) | 1981 | Last execution when a colony of Portugal was 1835. Abolished in 1981 by Constitution. | ||
| Central African Republic | 1981 | 2022 | The National Assembly passed a bill abolishing capital punishment on 27 May 2022. President Touadéra has vowed to sign it into law.[61] | ||
| Chad | 2015[62] | 2020 | Capital punishment was abolished in 2014,[63] but then reintroduced the following year for acts of terror.[64] In April 2020, Chad's Parliament unanimously abolished the death penalty for terrorism.[65][66] | ||
| Comoros | 1997[67] | n/a | Firing squad. Death penalty for aggravated murder, murder, rape (if it results in the death of the victim), barbaric actions including torture, and aggravated rape.[68] Persons excluded from capital punishment are pregnant women, women with small children, teenagers who were under 18 at the time of the crime, and the mentally ill. | ||
| Congo, Republic of the | 1982 | 2015[69] | Death penalty abolished November 2015 by Constitution. | ||
| Djibouti | *None since independence in 1977 | 1995 | |||
| Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 2003[70] | n/a | Hanging, shooting. Death penalty for murder, aggravated murder, treason, destruction of military facilities resulting in death, imposing superstitious trials by ordeal resulting in death, terrorism, armed robbery, drug trafficking and drug possession during wartime, espionage, misappropriation by a public prosecutor of seized or confiscated goods in time of war, some military offences, war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.[71] | ||
| Egypt | 2024[72] | 29+ | n/a | Hanging/firing squad. Death penalty for rape (if the victim is also kidnapped); murder; treason; terrorism; espionage; perjury causing wrongful execution[73] and organized drug trafficking. Those excused from the death penalty are: women with small children, women who are pregnant, teenagers who were under 18 at the time of the crime, and the mentally ill.[74] In Egypt, it is believed that at least 1,700 people were executed under the death penalty, and 1,413 death sentences alone were issued between 2007 and 2014.[74] Since the beginning of 2015, there have been reports of at least 354 death sentences carried out; however, numbers are not totally reliable due to the government's secrecy. | |
| Equatorial Guinea | 2014[75] | 2022 (civil crimes) | On 19 September 2022, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo signed a new penal code into law that abolished the death penalty for most crimes; however, statutes still permit the death penalty for some military offenses.[76][77] | ||
| Eritrea | 1989 | n/a | Hanging, shooting. Last execution when part of Ethiopia was 1989. Death penalty for murder, armed robbery, espionage, treason, economic crimes, military offenses, war crimes and genocide. At least one execution may have been carried out between 1999 and 2008, but this remains unconfirmed.[78] | ||
| Eswatini | 1983[79] | n/a | Death penalty for murder;[80] treason. | ||
| Ethiopia | 2007[81] | n/a | Firing squad. Death penalty for murder, robbery resulting in death or permanent disability of the victim, armed robbery, terrorism, some economic crimes, espionage, treason, certain military offences, armed conspiracy, war crimes, genocide, attempted capital offenses, certain economic crimes in time of war and outrages against the constitution[82] | ||
| Gabon | 1985[83] | 2010[84] | Abolished in February 2010. | ||
| Gambia | 2012[85] | n/a | Hanging, firing squad. Death penalty for treason, murder and terrorism.[86] Capital punishment was abolished in 1993 but was reinstated by Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council in August 1995[87] In February 2018, Gambia announced a moratorium on the death penalty.[88] In September 2018, it ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In May 2019, it commuted 22 death sentences to life imprisonment.[89] | ||
| Ghana | 1993 | 2023 (most crimes) | Firing squad, hanging. Death penalty for high treason. In 2023, Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for all other crimes.[90] The repeal of the death penalty is not retroactive; at least one death sentence was handed down after abolition for a crime that occurred before the repeal went into effect.[91] | ||
| Guinea | 2001[92] | 2017 | Abolished 2016 for ordinary crimes,[clarification needed] 2017 for all crimes.[93] | ||
| Guinea-Bissau | 1986 | 1993 | Abolished 1993 by Constitution. | ||
| Ivory Coast | *None since independence in 1960[87] | 2000 | |||
| Kenya | 1987 | n/a | Hanging. Death penalty for terrorism; terrorism acts; high treason; murder, armed robbery,[94] treason, military offenses and administering an oath purported to bind a person to commit a capital offense.[95] On 3 August 2009, the death sentences of all 4,000 death row inmates were commuted to life imprisonment, and government studies were ordered to determine if the death penalty has any impact on crime. In 2017 the Supreme Court of Kenya struck down the mandatory death penalty as unconstitutional. | ||
| Lesotho | 1995[96] | n/a | Hanging. Death penalty for murder, treason, rape, and military offenses such as mutiny.[97] | ||
| Liberia | 2000[98] | n/a | Hanging. Death penalty for aggravated murder, armed robbery, terrorism, "mercenarism" resulting in death, hijacking, treason and espionage.[99] Liberia acceded to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, abolishing the death penalty, on 16 September 2005; it re-introduced elements of it in July 2008.[100][101] | ||
| Libya | 2010[102] | n/a | Firing squad, shooting. Libya executed more people (18) in 2010, than any other African state. Current laws allow capital punishment for high treason; attempt to forcibly change the form of government; premeditated murder; aggravated murder; terrorism; drug trafficking; robbery resulting in death; espionage and military offences such as assisting the enemy or undermining the defense or the territorial integrity of the State[103][104] Extrajudicial killings are commonplace in Libya.[105] Amnesty International said that Libyan human rights organizations reported 31 executions from 2018 and 2020, but this is not confirmed.[106] | ||
| Madagascar | *None since independence in 1960 (1958, before independence) | 2014 | Abolished 10 December 2014.[107] Earlier, on 24 September 2012, Madagascar had signed the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.[108] | ||
| Malawi | 1992[109] | n/a | Executions by hanging. Death penalty for murder; rape; violent robbery; burglary; treason; housebreaking and military offenses.[110] | ||
| Mali | 1980 | n/a | Executions by firing squad. Death penalty for aggravated murder; terrorism; violent robbery, armed robbery or gang-robbery; arson; kidnapping; treason; espionage; certain military offenses; crimes against humanity; genocide; assaulting on-duty state employees with the intention of causing death; poisoning or mass poisoning of water supplies; committing torture or barbarous acts in the course of a serious offense and attempting a death-eligible crime.[111] Currently, no individual has been executed since 1980, making Mali a de facto abolitionist country. | ||
| Mauritania | 1987 | n/a | Death penalty for homosexuality, sodomy,[112] apostasy[113] (no recorded executions), blasphemy,[114] adultery, murder, aggravated murder, terrorism, torture, rape, armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, arson, accomplice to a death-eligible crime, assaulting a judge or public official in the course of his duties resulting in his death, kidnapping resulting in death, abandoning a child or an incapacitated person causing his/her death, espionage, treason, perjury causing wrongful execution, some cases of repeat offences and the voluntary destruction of buildings, bridges, dams or roads causing deaths.[115] | ||
| Mauritius | 1987 | 1995 | |||
| Morocco | 1993 | n/a | Death penalty for terrorism,[94] treason, espionage, corruption, perjury causing wrongful execution and aggravated murder.[116] In December 2013, a parliamentary opposition group filed a bill to abolish the death penalty in Morocco. The MP who introduced the bill said he was "optimistic" about the bill passing "in view of the current reform movement in Morocco".[117] | ||
| Mozambique | 1986 | 1990 | Abolished November 1990 by Constitution. | ||
| Namibia | *None since independence in 1990 (1988, before independence) | 1990 | Last execution when occupied by South Africa was in 1988. Abolished March 1990 by Constitution. | ||
| Niger | 1976 | n/a | Executions by firing squad. Death penalty allowed for aggravated murder; castration resulting in death; kidnapping a minor resulting in death; terrorism; robbery; treason; espionage; genocide; crimes against humanity; attempt or conspiracy to commit genocide, crimes against humanity and certain war crimes; torture; human trafficking; poisoning; harboring criminals; perjury leading to a person being sentenced to death; attempting to commit a death-eligible offense and recidivism in case of most serious offenses.[118] Abolitionist de facto as the last execution took place in 1976. | ||
| Nigeria | 2016[119] | n/a | Death penalty for murder; blasphemy; homosexuality; adultery; treason; rape; robbery; incest; assisting the suicide of a person legally unable to consent; perjury in a capital case causing wrongful execution; terrorism; terrorist acts; some military offences; sodomy;[120] kidnapping and practice of indigenous beliefs in states applying Shariah law.[121] Each of the 36 states has its own laws. Northern (majority Muslim) states also apply Sharia law. Some Southern states of Nigeria are de facto abolitionist since they have imposed a moratorium on the death penalty since 2004,[122] while others continue to carry out executions. | ||
| Rwanda | 1998 | 2007[123] | Since some of the perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide fled to countries that refuse to extradite suspects to countries that use capital punishment, the Rwandan parliament voted to abolish capital punishment in 2007. | ||
| Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | n/a | The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is only partly recognised, and claimed in whole by Morocco. The Sahrawi constitution which applies only in the Polisario-held territories in the far east and extreme south of the Western Sahara bans the death penalty. | |||
| São Tomé and Príncipe | *None since independence in 1975 | 1990 | Abolished September 1990 by Constitution. | ||
| Senegal | 1967 | 2004 | |||
| Seychelles | *None since independence in 1976 | 1993 | Abolished June 1993 by Constitution. | ||
| Sierra Leone | 1998 | 2021[124] | Prior to abolition, death penalty was for treason;[125] murder; aggravated robbery. Under the Special Court for Sierra Leone, the death penalty is not a punishment for war crimes. | ||
| Somalia | 2023[72] | 13 | n/a | Hanging, firing squad or stoning. Somalia is the only African state that carries out public executions. The Transitional Federal Government laws allowed for execution (in the limited area of the country it used to control) for murder, terrorism, treason, espionage, homosexuality, some military offences, blasphemy, apostasy and adultery. | |
| South Africa | 1989 | 1995 | The last execution by the South African government was on 14 November 1989. An execution occurred in the internationally unrecognised "homeland" of Venda in 1991.[56] Capital punishment was declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court on 6 June 1995 in the case of S v Makwanyane and Another. In 1997 the Criminal Law Amendment Act formally removed the invalidated provisions from the statute-book, and made provision for the resentencing of prisoners previously sentenced to death.[126] On 25 May 2005 the Constitutional Court ordered that all remaining death sentences in the country be set aside and the prisoners resentenced as soon as possible.[127] | ||
| South Sudan | 2022[128] | 7+ | n/a | Death penalty for treason; insurgency, banditry, sabotage or terrorism resulting in death; perjury in a capital case leading to wrongful execution; murder; attempted murder causing injury by a person sentenced to life for a previous murder; brigandage with murder; and drug dealing under aggravated circumstances.[129] | |
| Sudan | 2021[130] | n/a | Garrotte. Death penalty for waging war against the state,[131] prostitution, drug trafficking, treason, perjury in a capital case causing wrongful execution, espionage, acts that may endanger the independence or unity of the state, murder, armed robbery, abetting the suicide of an individual unable to give legal consent, terrorism, rape and incest committed by a married offender.[132] | ||
| Tanzania | 1994 | n/a | Death penalty for murder; treason; military offenses; mutiny by prison officers; and abortion (in Zanzibar semi-autonomous region).[133] | ||
| Togo | 1978[134] | 2009[135] | |||
| Tunisia | 1990 | n/a | Death penalty for murder; terrorism; terrorism acts; violence and aggression; attacks against the external security of the state; kidnapping and sequestration resulting in death; treason; espionage; rape; arson; military offenses; attempt of a death-eligible offense and assault on a judge on duty, with threat or use of a weapon.[136] On 6 January 2014, the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) voted for maintaining capital punishment in the upcoming constitution in Tunisia. The votes were by 135 yes out of a total of 174.[137] Since 2015, it has been possible to give the death penalty for terrorism. | ||
| Uganda | 2005[138] | n/a | Death penalty for murder; terrorism; kidnapping; rape; homosexuality; robbery if the offender uses or threatens to use a deadly weapon, resulting in death or causing "grievous harm" to anyone; smuggling if the offender uses or threatens to use a deadly weapon, resulting in death or causing "grievous harm" to anyone; treason and some military offences.[139][140] In 2009, the Supreme Court upheld a 2005 Constitutional Court ruling that although the death penalty was constitutional, its use as a mandatory punishment for certain crimes was not.[141] In 2019 mandatory death penalty was abolished by law.[142] | ||
| Zambia | 1997 | 2022 (civil crimes) | In 2022, president Hakainde Hichilema signed into law a bill abolishing the death penalty for most crimes, though capital punishment still remains in military statutes.[143][20][77] | ||
| Zimbabwe | 2005[144] | n/a | Death penalty for murder; high treason; terrorism; some military offences; attempted murder, incitement or conspiracy to commit murder; war crimes and genocide.[145] A bill to abolish the death penalty has been proposed, and it received cabinet approval in February 2024.[146] |
Americas edit
There are 35 United Nations member states in the Americas. Of these:
- 13 (37%) maintain the death penalty in both law and practice.
- 1 (3%) permits its use, but has not used it for at least 10 years and is believed to have a policy or established practice of not carrying out executions.
- 5 (14%) have abolished it for all crimes except those committed under exceptional circumstances (such as during war).
- 16 (46%) have completely abolished it.
Many Caribbean countries have carried out no executions for over 10 years, but are not believed to have an abolitionist policy or established practice.
As of 2024, the United States is the only country in the Americas to conduct executions for civil purposes.[147][2][3][4][5][6][7] Capital punishment applies nationwide on the federal level, for certain federal crimes. Some states have retained capital punishment for state offences, while other states are abolitionist. Of the fifty states and one federal district, 20 have abolished capital punishment entirely.[citation needed] 2 states are abolitionist in practice for state crimes.[citation needed] 5 states have imposed formal moratoriums and one state has imposed an informal moratorium, but these states cannot be considered abolitionist in practice for state crimes, as the moratoriums have been in place for under a decade.[citation needed]
Outside of the United States, the last execution elsewhere in the Americas was in Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2008.
The countries in the Americas that most recently abolished the death penalty are Suriname (2015), Argentina (2009), and Bolivia (2009). Guatemala abolished the death penalty for civil cases in 2017.
Executions in the Americas in 2019: United States (22).[148]
| Key | Country | Year of last execution | Executions 2019 | Year abolished | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | 1991 | N/A | Hanging. Death penalty for murder and treason.[149] Currently, no individual is under the sentence of death, as the last death sentence in the country was commuted in 2016.[150] | ||
| Argentina | 1956 | 2009 | Constitution of 1853 states "The penalty of death for political offences, all kinds of torture, and flogging, are forever abolished."[151] And was completely abolished by the Penal Code of 30 April 1922.[152] Despite this it was reinstated on several occasions:
On 26 August 2008, a new Code of Military Justice was promulgated that abolished death penalty. The new Code came into effect six months later, on 26 February 2009.[160][161] | ||
| Bahamas | 2000 | N/A | Hanging. Death penalty for treason; piracy; murder. Currently no individual is under the sentence of death, as the last death sentence in the country was commuted in 2016.[150] | ||
| Barbados | 1984[56] | N/A | Death penalty for murder; terrorism; participating in a mutiny; treason and espionage.[162] Presently under review before the IACHR[citation needed] despite strong national support.[163][164] | ||
| Belize | 1985[56] | N/A | Death penalty for murder, except where extenuating circumstances can be proved,[165] aggravated murder, war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, some military offences and treason.[166] | ||
| Bolivia | 1973[167] | 2009 | Abolished for ordinary crimes[clarification needed] in 1997. "The death penalty does not exist" (Article 15). | ||
| Brazil | 1876 | N/A (Military) 1978 (Civilian) | Hanging (in the past, for civil offences), firing squad (military offences). Brazil has always maintained the death penalty in wartime as part of its Military Code but, after Brazil became a Republic in 1889, capital punishment for civil offenses or for military offences committed in peacetime was abolished by the first republican Constitution, adopted in 1891. The penalty for crimes committed in peacetime was then reinstated during two periods (from 1938 to 1946 and from 1969 to 1978), but on those occasions it was restricted to acts of terrorism or subversion considered "internal warfare".[168][169][170][171] The current Constitution of Brazil (1988) expressly forbids the use of capital punishment, except for military offences committed during a war duly declared by Congress.[172] The last person to suffer the death penalty in Brazil was executed in 1876, during the Imperial era. After 1876, Emperor Pedro II adopted in practice an abolitionist policy, by directing that all death sentences be submitted by the Courts to the Imperial Government for examination regarding commutation (even without a request for pardon or commutation from the person condemned), and by granting commutations for all death sentences that were passed. For more information see Capital punishment in Brazil. | ||
| Canada | 1962 | 1999 | Abolished in 1976 for murder, treason, and piracy (last execution in 1962, last sentence in 1976); abolished 1999 for military offences (last execution in 1945). | ||
| Chile | 1985 | N/A (Military) 2001 (Civilian) | Shooting. Death penalty remains applicable to military personnel for war crimes and crimes against humanity during wartime. Abolished for all other cases in 2001. | ||
| Colombia | 1907[173] | 1910 | Abolished in 1910 by Constitutional reform. Prohibited by the Colombian Constitution of 1991: "The right to life is inviolable. There will be no death penalty." | ||
| Costa Rica | 1859[174] | 1877 | Abolished 1877 by Constitution. | ||
| Cuba | 2003[175] | N/A | Firing squad. Death penalty for murder, attempted murder, hijacking, acts of terrorism, treason, espionage,[176] political offenses,[clarification needed] child rape, molestation of a child under 12 years of age with aggravating factors, rape of an adult with aggravating factors, rape of an adult that results in death, illness or grievous bodily harm, robbery with aggravating factors, drug offenses, production of child pornography, child trafficking, child prostitution, child corruption, piracy, working as a mercenary, apartheid, genocide, pedophilia. While there have been no executions since 2003, and the last death sentences were commuted by the Supreme Court in 2010, with nobody sentenced to death since then, there is no formal or informal moratorium or abolitionist policy, making the country still retentionist.[177][178][179] | ||
| Dominica | 1986 | N/A | Executions by hanging. Death penalty for aggravated murder and treason.[180] | ||
| Dominican Republic | 1966 | 1966 | Abolished 1966 by Constitution. | ||
| Ecuador | 1884 | 1906 | Abolished 1906 by Constitution. | ||
| El Salvador | 1973 | N/A (Military) 1983 (Civilian) | May be imposed only in cases provided by military laws during a state of international war.[181] Abolished for other crimes 1983. | ||
| Grenada | 1978[182] | N/A | |||
| Guatemala | 2000[183] | N/A (Military) 2017 (Civilian) | Lethal injection. Until 2017, death penalty for murder, espionage, treason, drug trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and terrorism. Abolished for civil cases in 2017. | ||
| Guyana | 1997 | N/A | Death penalty for terrorist acts;[184] murder, treason and armed robbery, piracy, drug trafficking, and terrorist offences resulting in death. While the constitution states that the death penalty is not a mandatory punishment, many provisions of the criminal code suggests that the death penalty may be mandatory for these crimes as no alternatives to such sentence of death is found under any law. | ||
| Haiti | 1972 | 1987 | Abolished 1987 by Constitution. | ||
| Honduras | 1940 | 1956 | Abolished 1956 by Constitution. | ||
| Jamaica | 1988[185] | N/A | Death penalty for murder.[186] | ||
| Mexico | 1961 – Military 1957 – Civilian | 2005 | Abolished for all crimes in 2005.[187] | ||
| Nicaragua | 1930 | 1979 | Abolished 1979 by Constitution. | ||
| Panama | 1903[188] | 1903 | Abolished 1903 by Constitution. | ||
| Paraguay | 1917[189] | 1992 | Abolished 1992 by Constitution. | ||
| Peru | 1979 | N/A (Military) 1979 (Civilian) | Firing squad. Death penalty for treason; terrorism; espionage; genocide; mutiny; desertion in times of war.[181] Abolished for other crimes 1979. | ||
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 2008[190] | N/A | Hanging. Death penalty for murder and treason. | ||
| Saint Lucia | 1995 | N/A | Hanging. Death penalty for murder; treason. | ||
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 1995 | N/A | Death penalty for murder; treason. | ||
| Suriname | 1982 | 2015[191] | Abolished 2015. | ||
| Trinidad and Tobago | 1999 | N/A | Death penalty for murder; treason[192] | ||
| United States | 2024 | 22 | N/A (Some states have abolished the death penalty) | Methods vary by state, federal, and military policy, but include lethal injection, electric chair, firing squad, gas chamber and inert gas asphyxiation. Federal law provides the death penalty for many homicide-related crimes, espionage, treason, terrorism, murder, robbery (when it results in death), and extreme cases of drug trafficking (when it involves homicide).[193][194] 27 of the 50 states currently have the death penalty, though some are under moratorium or have not conducted any executions in decades. Of the non-state territories, American Samoa still has capital punishment as a local statute,[195] and the others have abolished it. The Supreme Court has severely limited the crimes that the death penalty can be a punishment for. It has also abolished the death penalty for crimes committed by a person under the age of 18. Sentences of death may be handed down by a jury or a judge (upon a bench trial or a guilty plea). | |
| Uruguay | 1902 | 1907 | Abolished by the "Law No. 3238" on 23 September 1907 and by the Constitution of 1918. | ||
| Venezuela | *None since independence in 1830 | 1863 | Abolished 1863 by Constitution. |
Asia edit
There are 42 United Nations member states in Asia, and one observer state. Of these:
- 27 (63%) maintain the death penalty in both law and practice.
- 5 (12%) permit its use for ordinary crimes,[clarification needed] but have not used it for at least 10 years and are believed to have a policy or established practice of not carrying out executions.
- 1 (2%) has abolished it for all crimes except those committed under exceptional circumstances (such as during war).
- 10 (23%) have completely abolished it.
The information above does not include Taiwan, which is not a UN member. Taiwan practices the death penalty by shooting, and conducted one execution each in 2016, 2018, and 2020.[citation needed]
Hong Kong and Macau are listed below (they abolished the death penalty before their handover to China), but they are not included in the figures above as they do not have UN membership separate from China. This makes China retentionist only in the mainland.[citation needed]
On 25 July 2022, because of Myanmar's civil war between the military junta (who rule most areas of the country) and the civilian government it overthrow, the junta carried out executions making it the first executions since 1988, making the country retentionist in areas controlled by the Tatmadaw. Under the civilian government (who internationally and according to the UN remain the legal government) and in areas controlled by it the country continues to be abolitionist in practice.[196]
Iraq also has a regional variety of retentionism and abolitionism, as Iraqi Kurdistan is de facto abolitionist for ordinary crimes[clarification needed] due to a moratorium that has been in place since 2007. The rest of Iraq (the majority of the country) is fully retentionist.[citation needed]
Indonesia has an informal moratorium and Malaysia a formal one, both in place since 2018. In April 2023, legislation abolishing the mandatory death penalty was passed in Malaysia.[39]
The countries in Asia that most recently abolished the death penalty are Kazakhstan (2021), Mongolia (2017), and Uzbekistan (2008).
In 2019, Asia had the world's five leading practitioners of capital punishment: China, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam. Executions in Asia in 2019: Bahrain (3), Bangladesh (2), China (1000+), Iran (256+), Japan (3), North Korea (Unknown), Pakistan (20+), Saudi Arabia (184+), Singapore (4), Syria (Unknown), Vietnam (Unknown), Yemen (7+).[197][41]
| Key | Country | Year of last execution | Executions 2019 | Year abolished | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan (Taliban government) | 2024[198] | n/a | Hanging; shooting; stoning.[199] Taliban Shariah allows capital punishment for: murder if the family of the victim deems death to be the appropriate punishment;[200] terrorism-related offenses; treason; espionage; adultery; rape; child rape; homosexuality; sodomy; apostasy (unknown whether Muslims who do not pray five times a day are considered apostates); blasphemy; and giving false witness resulting in the execution of an innocent.[201] Although playing music, singing, and dancing are officially punishable only by corporal punishment, there have been occasions where the Taliban executed people for these offenses nevertheless.[202][203] Children as young as 10 years old have been executed by the Taliban for helping Afghan allies,[204] a pregnant police officer was also executed.[205] | ||
| Bahrain | 2019[206] | 3 | n/a | Hanging and firing squad are used. Death penalty for premeditated murder; aggravated murder; rape, sexual assault or statutory rape; kidnapping; rape of child; arson; assault; deliberately obstructing funerals or memorial services; certain crimes against property, transportation or agriculture under aggravating circumstances; terrorism; plotting to topple the regime; collaborating with a foreign hostile country; threatening the life of the Emir; defiance of military orders in time of war or martial law; perjury causing wrongful execution; treason; drug trafficking and espionage.[207] | |
| Bangladesh | 2023[208] | 1 | n/a | Hanging. Death penalty for murder;[209] drug offences;[210] kidnapping and trafficking in children for immoral or illegal purposes; human trafficking; kidnapping a person (especially children or women) to force him/her to engage in prostitution and expose him/her to sexual exploitation/slavery; terrorism; rape; armed robbery; sedition; sabotage; hijacking planes; military offences such as abetting mutiny, cowardice or desertion; attempted dowry murder; abetting or conspiring to commit capital offenses; perjury causing wrongful execution; espionage;[211] treason[212] and war crimes. | |
| Bhutan | 1974[109] | 2004 | |||
| Brunei | *None since independence in 1984 (1957, before independence) | n/a | Hanging is used. Last execution when a protectorate of Britain was in 1957. Death penalty for murder; unlawful possession of firearms and explosives; possession of heroin or morphine of more than 15 grams, cocaine of more than 30 grams, cannabis of more than 500 grams, syabu or methamphetamine of more than 50 grams, or opium of more than 1.2 kg;[213] terrorism; abetting the suicide of a person unable to give legal consent; arson; kidnapping; abetting a successful mutiny; treason and perjury resulting in the conviction of an innocent defendant of a capital offense.[214] A new penal code was introduced in April 2014 and introduced the death penalty for male same-sex adultery if one of the parties is Muslim (by stoning); rape; adultery; apostasy; sodomy; extramarital sexual relations for Muslims; insulting any verse of the Quran and Hadith; blasphemy and declaring oneself a prophet or non-Muslim.[213][215] | ||
| Cambodia | 1989 | 1989 | Abolished in 1989 by Constitution. | ||
| China | 2024[216] | 1000+ | n/a | Shooting (firing squad); lethal injection. On 25 February 2011, China's newly revised Criminal Law reduced the number of crimes punishable by death by 13, from 68 to 55.[217][failed verification] Laws allow capital punishment for severe cases of embezzlement; rape (particularly of children); severe cases of fraud; bombing; flooding; rioting under aggravating circumstances; separatism; armed rebellion; collaborationism; political dissidence; subversion; terrorism; spreading poisons/hazardous substances; people trafficking; forcing a person to engage in prostitution (especially children, often after kidnapping or rape); piracy; theft; drug trafficking; corruption; arson; aggravated assault; aircraft hijacking resulting in death; producing or selling tainted food or fake medicine resulting in death or serious medical injury; participating in an armed prison riot or jailbreak; murder; aggravated murder; burglary; kidnapping; robbery; armed robbery; espionage; treason; poaching; military offences (like insubordination, cowardice); sabotaging electricity, gas, fuel, petroleum, weapons, flammables, explosives and military communications/installations; illegal possession, transport, smuggling, or selling of explosives or firearms; illegally manufacturing, selling, transporting or storing hazardous materials; trafficking or smuggling nuclear materials and endangerment of national security. Even the higher sections of Chinese society are not exempt from the death penalty, as billionaire Liu Han was executed 9 February 2015.[218][219] | |
| East Timor | *None since independence in 2002 | 2002[220] | Death penalty suspended following UN administration in 1999 when still a province of Indonesia. Abolished by constitution 2002.[220] | ||
| Hong Kong | 1966 | 1993 | It was last used in 1966 and abolished in 1993 by the then British colonial government. | ||
| India | 2020[221] | n/a | Hanging, shooting can be used in the military court-martial system. Death penalty for murder; instigating a minor's or a mentally ill's suicide; treason; terrorism; a second conviction for drug trafficking; aircraft hijacking; aggravated robbery; espionage; kidnapping; being a party to a criminal conspiracy to commit a capital offence; attempted murder by those sentenced to life imprisonment if the attempt results in harm to the victim; perjury causing wrongful execution;[222] aggravated rape/gang-rape; drug smuggling under aggravated circumstances; abetting sati, mutiny and its abetting; causing explosions which can endanger life or property and a few military offences like desertion. Military offences may be punished with a firing squad. | ||
| Indonesia | 2016 | n/a | Firing squad. Death penalty for murder; high treason; espionage; some acts of corruption which damage national economy or finances; aggravated gang-robbery; extortion with force or threat of force; terrorism; some military offences; genocide; crimes against humanity; piracy resulting in death; drug trafficking and developing, producing, obtaining, transferring or using of chemical weapons. President Joko Widodo issued an informal moratorium on executions in 2018 due to outrage over the 2015 and 2016 executions, but there are no plans towards abolition[223][109][224] 8 people including overseas nationals executed on 29 April 2015.[225] | ||
| Iran | 2024 | 256+ | n/a | Hanging, shooting or stoning. Iran performs public executions. Iran is second only to China in the number of executions it carries out—executing hundreds every year.[226][227] Current laws allow the death penalty for murder; armed robbery; drug trafficking; kidnapping; rape; burglary; child molestation; sodomy; homosexuality; incestuous relations; fornication; prohibited sexual relations; sexual misconduct; prostitution;[228][229] rebellion; plotting to overthrow the Islamic regime; political dissidence; sabotage; arson; espionage; treason; terrorism; joining the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant; certain military offenses (e.g. cowardice, assisting the enemy); apostasy; adultery; blasphemy; counterfeiting; smuggling; speculating; disrupting production; recidivist theft; extortion; immoral attitude; recidivist consumption of alcohol; producing or preparing food, drink, cosmetics or sanitary items that lead to death when consumed or used; producing and publishing pornography; using pornographic materials to solicit sex; recidivist false accusation of capital sexual offenses causing execution of an innocent person;[230] "enmity against God" and "corruption on earth." Secret executions are widespread in the country, so that exact numbers for each year are difficult to obtain and different figures are provided by various organizations. | |
| Iraq | 2022[231] | 46+ | n/a | Hanging. Death penalty for murder; endangering national security; distributing drugs; rape; incest; espionage; treason;[232] joining the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant; robbery; armed robbery; theft; burglary; kidnapping; attacks on transport convoys; arson; rioting; killing police guards and military officers; intentionally causing a flood or attempting to cause a flood; damaging or sabotaging public structures; war crimes, crimes against humanity; genocide; financing and execution of terrorism.[233] Suspended in June 2003 after 2003 invasion; reinstated August 2004.[234][235] A total of 447 people were executed between then and the end of March 2013, with 129 in 2012 alone.[236] Iraqi Kurdistan is abolitionist in practice for all ordinary crimes[clarification needed] (remains retentionist for crimes in exceptional cases) since a moratorium has been in place since when Kurdistan president Masoud Barzani issued it in 2007.[237] | |
| Israel | 1962 | 1954 (civilian) N/A (military) | Hanging; firing squad. Death penalty for crimes against humanity,[238] high treason, genocide, and crimes against the Jewish people during wartime. Only two executions since independence in 1948: accused traitor Meir Tobiansky (posthumously acquitted) and Holocaust architect Adolf Eichmann (last execution in 1962).[239] Abolished for other crimes 1954. | ||
| Japan | 2022[240] | 3 | n/a | Hanging. Death penalty for murder; treason and crimes against the State. Judges usually impose death penalty in case of multiple homicides; death sentence for a single murder is not particularly common. Between 1946 and 2003, 766 people were sentenced to death, 608 of whom were executed. For 40 months from 1989 to 1993 successive ministers of justice refused to authorise executions, which amounted to an informal moratorium. No execution in 2020 (first time in nine years).[241] | |
| Jordan | 2021[242] | n/a | Hanging, shooting. Death penalty for some cases of terrorism, murder, aggravated murder, rape, aggravated robbery, drug trafficking, illegal possession and use of weapons, war crimes, espionage and treason.[243] Executions resumed in 2014 after a hiatus.[244] | ||
| Kazakhstan | 2003[245] | 2021[246] | Signed the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2020.[247][248] Abolished in 2021.[246] | ||
| Kuwait | 2023[249] | n/a | Hanging. Death penalty for drug trafficking; rape; murder; aggravated murder; kidnapping; piracy; torture; human trafficking; terrorism; certain military offences; national security crimes;[250] espionage; treason and perjury causing execution of an innocent person[251] | ||
| Kyrgyzstan | *None since independence in 1991 | 2007 | Kyrgyz authorities had extended a moratorium on executions each year since 1998. Abolished by constitution in 2007.[252][253] | ||
| Laos | 1989 | n/a | Death penalty for murder; hostage-taking; kidnapping; committing acts of robbery against the State or against "collective assets"; obstructing an officer in the performance of his public duties and causing his death or causing him physically disabled; trafficking in women or children resulting in death, lifetime incapacity or infection by HIV/AIDS of the victim; terrorism; drug trafficking; disrupting industry, trade, agriculture or other economic activities with the intent of undermining the national economy; drug possession; treason and espionage.[254][255] | ||
| Lebanon | 2004[256] | n/a | Hanging; firing squad. Death penalty for murder;[257] aggravated murder; rape; child rape; terrorism; gang-robbery or gang-assault involving torture; arson against certain types of structures or sabotage of communications, transportation or industrial facilities causing death; aggravated assault involving torture; life-eligible crimes with recidivism; importing nuclear/toxic wastes; polluting rivers or waterways with harmful substances; some military offences (e.g. desertion); espionage and treason.[258] | ||
| Macau | 19th century | 1976 | It was last used in the 19th century and abolished in 1976 when Portugal abolished the death penalty on all its territories. | ||
| Malaysia | 2017[259] | n/a | Hanging. Death penalty for trafficking in dangerous drugs; discharging a firearm in the commission of a scheduled offense; accomplices in case of discharge of firearm; offenses against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's person; murder; kidnapping; burglary; robbery; terrorism and treason. Discretionary for weapons trafficking; abetting mutiny; perjury causing wrongful execution;[260] consorting with a person carrying or having possession of arms or explosives; waging or attempting to wage war or abetting the waging of war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a Ruler or Yang di-Pertua Negeri[261] A plan to abolish the death penalty was revoked on 13 March 2019.[262][263] In April 2023, mandatory death penalty was abolished. A moratorium on executions remains, but execution remains legal.[39] | ||
| Maldives | *None since independence in 1965 (1952, before independence) | n/a | Last execution when a colony of Britain was in 1952. Death penalty for murder,[264] terrorism, treason, adultery and apostasy. 60-year moratorium lifted in 2014.[265] | ||
| Mongolia | 2008 | 2012 | President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj instituted a moratorium in 2010, systematically commuting all death sentences. On 5 January 2012, "a large majority of MPs" adopted a bill that aims to abolish the death penalty. After two years under the official moratorium, the State Great Khural formally signed the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.[266] This makes Mongolia abolitionist because under Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the Covenant, "No one within the jurisdiction of a State Party to the present Protocol shall be executed," and "Each State Party shall take all necessary measures to abolish the death penalty within its jurisdiction." Unlike in countries that retain capital punishment officially but have abolished it in practice, this made Mongolia abolitionist in both law and practice. However some dead laws that were still symbolically binding referenced capital punishment. These non-binding laws were removed from statutes by a 2015 Act, which took effect on 1 July 2016, making some people claim 2015 or 2016 as the year of abolition.[267][268] Mongolia is one of the last Eastern Bloc states (not including Eastern Europe) to abolish the death penalty. Some even claim that it was abolished in 2017 as the death penalty was formally abolished on 1 July 2017.[269] | ||
| Myanmar | 2022 | 0 | n/a | Death penalty for murder, terrorism, participating in a gang robbery if one of the robbers commits murder, abetting a successful mutiny, assault by a person under a life sentence which causing harm, assault with the intention to murder which causing only harm, perjury causing wrongful execution,[270] high treason[271] and drug trafficking.[272] Myanmar carried out no executions between 1988 and 2022; it is now retentionist again.[196][273][274] While Myanmar courts do hand down death sentences pro forma in particularly egregious cases, most recently in the 2018 case of Myo Zaw Oo who was convicted of the rape and murder of a government worker,[275] the sentences in practice are not carried out and are in effect life sentences. There have been three major amnesties (1989, 1993, 1997) in which the government commuted death sentences to life sentences or less, and simultaneously reduced life sentences to 10 years. However, prisoners held for political crimes, or crimes against the state are typically excluded from such amnesties.[274] Prior to the military coup of 2021 Myanmar was regarded as "abolitionist in practice" by both Amnesty International[276] and Death Penalty Watch.[273] This was jeopardised on 1 February 2021 when the military overthrew the democratic government in a coup. On 14 March, the military declared martial law in selected regions of two largest cities (Yangon and Mandalay) and furthermore announced the introduction of a suite of new laws and penalties for insurrection and protest, including capital punishment.[277] On 9 April 2021 state broadcaster Myawaddy TV announced that 23 protesters had been charged with murder, and pursuant to s496 of the criminal code, would face execution. The date of the execution was not announced, and it currently (as of 10 April) is unknown whether or how the sentences will be carried out. At least 17 of the convicted were tried in absentia[278] and it is unclear how many have since been apprehended. While this would put Myanmar in the "retentionist" category, the legitimacy of the military government and the recently imposed martial laws are contested by the deposed government (known as the NUG) who claim sole legislative authority. The international community thus far have not decided whether the military junta or NUG is the legitimate government, and as such it is not clear whether these executions carried out by the military would be seen by the international community as lawful applications of the death penalty, or extrajudicial killings carried out by armed forces. Amnesty International now (2022) recognises Myanmar's retentionist status, but notes that "Following Myanmar military's issuance of Martial Law Order 3/2021, the authority to try civilians was transferred to special or existing military tribunals where individuals are tried through summary proceedings without right to appeal. These courts oversee a wide range of offences including those punishable with the death penalty. Under international law and standards, executions carried out following unfair trials violate the prohibition against arbitrary deprivation of life, as well as the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment."[279] As of 3 June 2022, it was reported that a total of 113 people had been sentenced to death by the junta for their roles in the counter-military revolution.[280] On the same date, the junta confirmed the death warrants of four of the prisoners Hla Myo Aung, Ko Aung Thura Zaw, the long-time democratic activist Ko Jimmy, and the rapper and former NLD lawmaker Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw.[280] With the confirmation of the death warrant, responsibility to determine whether, how, and when to proceed to executions fell to the Prison Department.[280] It was announced by the junta that the executions were carried out on 23 July 2022.[281] As the military junta is not recognized by the UN, the seats at the UN seats continue to be filled by diplomats of the deposed government and because of this Myanmar for the first time voted in favour of abolition in the 2022 UN resolution on abolishing the death penalty. Khit Thit Media reported via their Facebook page that the military handed down a further eleven death sentences on 30 November.[282] In addition, executions are carried out within the de facto autonomous Wa State. Wa state (officially the Wa Self-Administered Division) is nominally a semi-autonomous division located in two disconnected regions within Shan State. As such it is in principle subject to the laws, enforcement, and judicial system of Myanmar. However, in reality, the Wa State is controlled entirely by the United Wa State Army (UWSA) - an ethnic armed organisation (EAO) previously in open rebellion against the Myanmar government and military. While in recent years the UWSA has reached a détente with the Myanmar central authority, the Myanmar legal system does not apply in practice within Wa State. To wit, death sentences are handed down and carried out regularly, most recently in 2020.[283] Wa State imposes the death penalty only for murder[284] and executions are carried out by gunshot to the back of the head. An other de facto autonomous region, Mong La (officially: Shan State Special region 4) on the Myanmar-Chinese border under the control of the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) is also reputed to carry out executions much like Wa State.[285] | |
| Nepal | 1979 | 1997 | The death penalty was abolished in 1946 for ordinary crimes[clarification needed] but was reinstated between 1985 and 1990 for cases of murder and terrorism.[286] Completely abolished since 1997 by Constitution. | ||
| North Korea | 2023[287] | Unknown | n/a | Various methods are used, including the firing squad, hanging or decapitation. North Korea performs mainly private, but also performs some public executions. Current laws allow the death penalty for drug offences; plots against national sovereignty; circulating "harmful" information; political dissidence; terrorism; espionage; treason against the Motherland or against the people; murder; murder of a North Korean police guard; watching South Korean and foreign websites, media or movies; listening to South Korean and foreign radio broadcasts; kidnapping; rape; assault; burglary; insubordination; inappropriate words; armed robbery; violation of Juche customs; human trafficking; illegal border crossing; committing massacres; bank robbery; grand theft; making illegal international calls without a phone card; producing and/or watching pornography; embezzlement; currency counterfeiting; black market smuggling/trafficking; damaging or deliberately destroying state property; destroying military facilities or technology; taking unauthorized photographs; unauthorized religious activity; returning home from foreign countries after becoming a defector and prostitution.[288][289] There have been at least 64 carried out death sentences in 2016, and in 2017 five North Korean minister-level officials were executed; it is not known whether these officials were executed due to a judicial sentence or a direct order of Kim Jong-un.[290] No official numbers can be known because of the secrecy surrounding the topic of capital punishment within the state. | |
| Oman | 2021[291] | n/a | Death penalty for murder, drug trafficking, arson, piracy, terrorism, kidnapping, recidivism of aggravated offenses punishable by life imprisonment, leading an armed group that engages in spreading disorder (such as by sabotage, pillage or killing), espionage, treason and perjury causing wrongful execution.[292][293] | ||
| Pakistan | 2019[294] | 20+ | n/a | Hanging. Death penalty for murder, aggravated murder, drug smuggling, terrorism, arms trafficking, armed robbery resulting in death, certain military offenses (e.g. cowardice, assisting the enemy, abetting a successful mutiny), kidnapping, rape, gang rape, perjury in a capital case leading execution of an innocent person, hijacking, sabotage of the railway system, stripping a woman's clothes, a scheduled offence likely to create terror or disrupt sectarian harmony, acts to strike terror or create a sense of fear and insecurity resulting in death, unlawful assembly, treason, espionage, adultery, homosexuality and blasphemy.[295][296] Six-year moratorium lifted in 2014 after the Peshawar school massacre. | |
| Palestine | 2022[297] | n/a | Hamas performs vigilante public executions.[298][299][300] Indeed, suspected political dissidents, such as accused Israel collaborators, are frequently executed, often in the street or public squares in front of large crowd to serve as warnings for people, and sometimes without trial.[301] Death penalty for aggravated murder; murder; terrorism; treason; espionage; military offenses and some offenses resulting in death like vandalism; medical violations; felony; disobedience; violence or sedition.[302] The State of Palestine has ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.[303] | ||
| Philippines | 2000[304] | 2006 | Abolished in 1987 under the present Constitution, re-introduced in 1993, re-abolished on 24 June 2006 under Republic Act No. 9346. The House of Representatives voted to reinstate the death penalty for drug crimes in March 2017,[305] but it was stalled in the Senate.[306] | ||
| Qatar | 2020[307] | n/a | Execution by firing squad. Death penalty for espionage;[308] threat to national security;[309] apostasy (no recorded executions); homosexuality; blasphemy;[310] murder; aggravated murder; violent robbery; arson; torture; kidnapping; terrorism; rape; drug trafficking; extortion by threat of accusation of a crime of honor; perjury causing wrongful execution and treason.[311] | ||
| Saudi Arabia | 2024[312] | 184+ | n/a | Decapitation, firing squad, stoning. Saudi Arabia performs public executions. Current Islamic laws allow the use of capital punishment for many violent and nonviolent offenses which includes aggravated burglary, treason, espionage, as well as homosexuality, adultery; murder; blasphemy; apostasy;[313] drug trafficking; rape; armed robbery;[314] some military offences; witchcraft; sexual misconduct and terrorism. Method most often used is beheading with a scimitar, although the firing squad is sometimes used. Bodies may be put on public display. | |
| Singapore | 2024 | 1[315] | n/a | Hanging. Death penalty for terrorism; murder; treason; perjury causing wrongful execution; kidnapping; certain firearm offenses; gang-robbery resulting in death; genocide; arms trafficking; piracy; attempted murder by a convict under a life sentence; drug trafficking in more than 15 grams of heroin or morphine, 30 grams of cocaine or 500 grams of cannabis and some military offences.[316][317] | |
| South Korea | 1997[318] | n/a | Hanging and firing squad. Death penalty for murder (over two victims), aggravated murder, arson resulting in death, piracy, terrorism, kidnapping resulting in death, rape resulting in death, rebellion, drug trafficking, conspiracy with foreign countries, robbery-homicide, recidivist violent robbery and treason.[319] There has been an unofficial moratorium on executions since President Kim Dae-jung took office in February 1998.[320] | ||
| Sri Lanka | 1976 | n/a | Death penalty for murder; treason; perjury causing an innocent person to be executed; rape; armed robbery; drug trafficking; kidnapping with the use of a gun; extortion committed with the use of a gun; human trafficking offenses committed with the use of a gun; attempting murder with the use of a gun; causing harm with the use of a gun; assault on a public servant with the use of a gun and some military offences.[321] Moratorium since 1976. | ||
| Syria | 2022[322] | Unknown | n/a | Hanging is used for normal executions, and for military personnel, shooting is used. Syria performs public executions. Current laws allow the death penalty for treason; espionage; murder; arson resulting in death; attempting a death-eligible crime; recidivism for a felony punishable by forced labor for life; terrorism; political acts and military offences such as bearing arms against Syria in the ranks of the enemy, insubordination, rebellion, desertion of the armed forces to the enemy and acts of incitement under martial law or in wartime; violent robbery; subjecting a person to torture or barbaric treatment during the commission of gang-robbery; rape. Certain crimes are considered to deserve an automatic death sentence punishment: membership in the Muslim Brotherhood; joining the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant; drug trafficking; political dissidence and falsification of material evidence resulting in a third party being convicted for a drug offense and sentenced to death.[323] Extrajudicial killings are commonplace in Syria.[324] Persons excused from death row are women with small children, pregnant women, the mentally ill, the intellectually disabled, and teenagers who committed the crime under the age of 18 at the time.[323] Since the start of the civil war, it cannot be known clearly how many people have been put on death row. As of 2014[update], Syria did have an execution per capita rate of 1 for every 3,000,000 persons.[323] | |
| Taiwan | 2020[325] | n/a | Gun shot to heart at close range with a single gun. Lethal injection is also a legal form of execution, although there are no known instances of it being used. The condemned person lies on a mattress where doctor marks where heart is; the executioner shoots at the marked place on the condemned back. Condemned are sedated prior to execution. If the condemned person decides to be an organ donor, then the shot is aimed to the rear of the head at the brain stem.[326] Crimes punishable by death are: aggravated murder, murder, other offences resulting in death, drug trafficking, drug possession, treason, military offences, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.[326] Those excluded from capital punishment are: the elderly, pregnant women, women with small children, the mentally ill, and teenagers under the age of 18 at the time of the crime. As of 2006[update], the mandatory death penalty minimum was taken away. By the end of 2012, there were a recorded number of 120 prisoner executions. | ||
| Tajikistan | 2004 | n/a | Firing squad. Death penalty for murder with aggravating circumstances; rape with aggravating circumstances; terrorism; biocide; genocide.[327] Moratorium introduced 30 April 2004 by President Emomali Rahmon, which means instead of capital punishment, the individual shall receive a life in prison. Persons excluded from death row are: the elderly, women, pregnant women, intellectually disabled, the mentally ill, and teenagers who were under the age of 18 at the time of the crime.[328] | ||
| Thailand | 2018[329] | n/a | Lethal Injection, Death penalty for 35 crimes including regicide; sedition or rebellion; offenses committed against the external security of Thailand; murder or attempted murder of a foreign head of state or a member of the royal family; bribery; high treason; espionage; terrorism acts; terrorism; arson; rape; murder; aggravated murder; drug trafficking; kidnapping; robbery resulting in death; certain military offences; illegal use of firearms or explosives. For a full list see here (PDF) | ||
| Turkmenistan | 1997 | 1999 | Abolished 1999 by Constitution. | ||
| United Arab Emirates | 2017[291] | n/a | Firing squad. The death penalty is rarely enforced, and is a legal form of punishment for murder; aggravated murder; drug trafficking;[330] successfully inciting the suicide of a mentally ill person; arson resulting in death; kidnapping resulting in death; acts of indecent assault resulting in death; disposal of nuclear waste in the environment; rape of a minor; treason; apostasy; aggravated robbery; terrorism; joining the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant; espionage and perjury causing wrongful execution.[331][332] | ||
| Uzbekistan | 2005[333] | 2008 | President Islam Karimov signed a decree on 1 August 2005 that replaced the death penalty with life imprisonment on 1 January 2008[334] | ||
| Vietnam | 2023[335] | Unknown | n/a | Lethal injection. Death penalty for treason; taking action to overthrow the government; espionage; rebellion; banditry; terrorism; sabotage; hijacking; destruction of national security projects; undermining peace; war crimes; crimes against humanity; manufacturing, concealing and trafficking in narcotic substances "in a manner contrary to state regulations when the offence is committed in particularly serious circumstances"; certain military offences; manufacturing or trading fake goods such as food or medicines; murder; rape; robbery; embezzlement; fraud and receiving bribes above a certain amount.[336][337] | |
| Yemen | 2024[72] | 7+ | n/a | Shooting, stoning. Yemen performs public executions. Current laws allow the death penalty for murder;[338] adultery;[339] homosexuality;[112][340] apostasy[113] (no recorded executions); blasphemy;[341] drug trafficking; perjury causing wrongful execution; kidnapping; rape; sexual misconduct; violent robbery; banditry; terrorism; destruction of property leading to death; prostitution; certain military offenses (e.g. cowardice, desertion); espionage and treason.[342] |
Europe edit
There are 48 United Nations member states in Europe, and one observer state. Of these:
- 1 (2%) maintains the death penalty in both law and practice.
- 1 (2%) permits its use for ordinary crimes,[clarification needed] but has not used it for at least 10 years and is believed to have a policy or established practice of not carrying out executions.
- 47 (96%) have completely abolished it.
Abolition of death penalty is a pre-condition for entry into the European Union, which considers capital punishment a "cruel and inhuman" practice and "not been shown in any way to act as a deterrent to crime".[343]
Since 1999, Belarus has been the only recognized country in Europe to carry out executions. 2009, 2015, 2020 are the first three years in recorded history when Europe was completely free of executions.
The countries in Europe that most recently abolished the death penalty are Bosnia and Herzegovina (2019), Latvia (2012), and Albania (2007).
Executions in Europe in 2019: Belarus (2+).[197][344]
| Key | Country | Year of last execution | Executions 2019 | Year abolished | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 1995[345] | 2007 | Hanging prior to abolition. Ratification of protocol 13 of the ECHR was on 06/02/2007, in effect on 01/06/2007.[346] | ||
| Andorra | 1943 | 1990 | Garrote, firing Squad abolished 1990 by Constitution. | ||
| Armenia | *None since independence on 21 September 1991 (30 August 1991, before independence) | 1998 | Abolished in 1998 by Constitution. The last execution when Armenia was a part of the USSR was on 30 August 1991. | ||
| Austria | 1950 | 1968 | Abolished in peacetime 1950. Completely abolished in 1968 by Constitution. | ||
| Azerbaijan | 1993 | 1998 | |||
| Belarus | 2022[347] | 2+ | N/A | Shooting, Belarus is the only country in Europe to use capital punishment. Laws allow capital punishment for acts of aggression; murder of a representative of a foreign state or international organization with the intention to provoke international tension or war; international terrorism; genocide; crimes against the security of humanity; murder with aggravating circumstances; terrorism; terrorist acts; treason that results in loss of life; conspiracy to seize power; sabotage; murder of a police officer; murder of a border patrol officer; use of weapons of mass destruction; and violations of the laws and customs of war.[348] | |
| Belgium | 1950 | 1996 | Last execution for common law crimes was in 1863. Last execution for war crimes was in 1950. Abolished 1996 by Penal Code; since 2005 in Constitution. | ||
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | *None since independence in 1991 (1977, before independence) | 2019 (for all crimes in Republika Srpska) 1998 (for all crimes in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and for all peacetime crime in Republika Srpska) | The final execution in the present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina took place in 1977,[349] when then Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was still one of the constituent republics of Yugoslavia. It was abolished in 1998 by the Constitution, although the death penalty remained present in the Constitution of Republika Srpska, where it was endorsed in the Article 11, which said: "Human life is inviolable. Death may only be used for capital crimes."[350] The Supreme Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina had abolished the death penalty in the Republika Srpska in 2019, making Bosnia and Herzegovina, in practice, the last country in Europe, except for Belarus and Russia, to fully abolish the death penalty on all of the levels of its judiciary.[351] | ||
| Bulgaria | 1989 | 1998 | The last execution in Bulgaria took place on 4 November 1989, days before the downfall of Todor Zhivkov, which heralded the end of the communist regime. It was the year's 14th shooting of a convicted prisoner. | ||
| Croatia | *None since independence in 1991 (1987, before independence) | 1991 | Last capital punishment was performed on 29 January 1987 by the state firing squad while Croatia was still part of SFR Yugoslavia. Last executed convict was Dušan Kosić who killed Čedomir Matijević, his wife Slavica and their two daughters, Dragana and Snježana.[352][353] Capital punishment was abolished in 1990 according to the provision of the new Croatian constitution enected for the SR Croatia. Upon declaring independence in June 1991 newly formed Republic of Croatia declared Constitution from 1990 official and left the jurisdiction of the Yugoslav Federation consequently completely abolishing capital punishment. The death penalty is prohibited by the article 21 of the Croatian Constitution.[354] | ||
| Cyprus | 1962 | 2002 | Capital punishment for murder abolished in 1983. Completely abolished in 2016 by amendment to the Constitution removing references to capital punishment. | ||
| Czech Republic | *None since independence in 1993 (1989, before independence) | 1990 | Last execution when part of Czechoslovakia was in June 1989. Abolished after the Velvet Revolution 1990 by the amendment to Constitution of Czechoslovakia. Upon independence on 1 January 1993 the Czech Republic became a new abolitionist state. | ||
| Denmark | 1950 | 1978 | Last execution for common law crimes 1892. Last execution for war crimes 1950. Capital punishment was retroactively carried out 1945–50 for crimes related to the German occupation in World War II, repealed in 1951 and confirmed in 1993. A similar rule was active 1952–1978 in the civil penalty law for war crimes committed under extreme circumstances. | ||
| Estonia | 1991 | 1998 | The last execution in Estonia has taken place on 11 September 1991 when Rein Oruste was shot with a bullet to the back of the head for the crime of murder. | ||
| Finland | 1944 | 1972 | Last peacetime execution 1825. Last wartime execution 1944. Capital punishment was abolished for civilian crimes in 1949 (all existing sentences commuted to life imprisonment) and for all crimes 1972. In 1984 the death penalty was explicitly outlawed in the Finnish Constitution. | ||
| France | 1977 | 1981 | The death penalty was initially abolished by the Directory in 1795 but re-introduced by Napoleon in 1810. It was re-abolished in law in 1981 and by Constitution in 2007. | ||
| Georgia | 1995[345] | 2006 | The death penalty was abolished for most offenses in 1997, but the constitution stated that the Supreme Court had the power to impose the death penalty in exceptionally serious cases of "crimes against life". On 27 December 2006, President Mikheil Saakashvili signed into a law a new constitutional amendment totally abolishing the death penalty in all circumstances. The self-proclaimed state of Abkhazia, which is claimed by Georgia, still retains the death penalty for wartime treason, but it has been under moratorium since 2007. | ||
| Germany | 1981 | 1949 (West Germany), 1987 (East Germany) | Abolished by the Basic Law since the formation of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949. However, US military authorities carried out seven executions on German territory in 1951, since they were, as an occupation force, not subjected to this.[355] German Democratic Republic (country which ceased to exist in 1990 and all of its territory joined the Federal Republic of Germany) abolished the death penalty in 1987, the last execution was held in 1981. | ||
| Greece | 1972 | 2004[356][357] | Abolished completely with the Constitutional amendment of 2001 and then with the approval by Greek Parliament of the ratification of protocol 13 of the ECHR in 12/2004. | ||
| Hungary | 1988 | 1990 | Capital punishment was abolished in 1990 and the last execution was of Ernő Vadász on 14 July 1988 for murder. | ||
| Iceland | *None since independence in 1944 (1830, before independence)[358] | 1928[359] | Last execution in 1830 when a colony of Denmark.[358] Abolished in 1928;[359] reintroduction made unconstitutional in 1995 by unanimous vote of Parliament.[360] | ||
| Ireland | 1954 | 1990 | Abolished for murder in 1964, and for remaining offences in 1990. Last death sentences passed in 1985; all since 1954 commuted to imprisonment. | ||
| Italy | 1947 | 1994 | On 30 November 1786 the Grand Duchy of Tuscany (then independent, now a part of Italy) became the first state in the modern era to completely abolish the death penalty. However, it was later repeatedly reintroduced and re-abolished, until its definitive ban in 1859. From 1815 to 1859 only two people were executed by the grand ducal authorities. For a brief period between 1847 and 1848, upon its reversion to Tuscany, the Duchy of Lucca became the only Italian territory in which the abolition was in force. The short lived Roman Republic of Feb–July 1849 abolished the death penalty before being overthrown by French troops. When the Kingdom of Italy was formed in 1861, capital punishment remained in force in all the constituent states except Tuscany until it was abolished nationwide in 1889 – although it was maintained under military and colonial law. In 1926 Mussolini reintroduced the death penalty into Italian law. A total of 26 people (9 civilians and 16 soldiers) were executed during the Fascist regime, none from political reasons. It was re-abolished from the penal code in 1944. Art. 27 of the Constitution of the Italian Republic (1948) completely abolished it for all common military and civil crimes during peacetime. The death penalty was still, formally, in force in Italy in the military penal code, only for high treachery against the Republic or only in war theatre perpetrated crimes (though no execution ever took place) until it was abolished completely from there as well, in 1994. Article 27 of Italian Constitution was changed, in 2007, to impede the reintroduction of death penalty in time of war too. | ||
| Kosovo | *None since self-proclaimed independence in 2008 (1987, as part of Yugoslavia)[345] | 2008[citation needed] | The partially recognised Republic of Kosovo does not have the death penalty.[361][362] | ||
| Latvia | 1996 | 2012 | Abolished for civilian offences in 1999. Abolished for all crimes in 2012.[363] | ||
| Liechtenstein | 1785 | 1989[364] | |||
| Lithuania | 1995 | 1998 | |||
| Luxembourg | 1949 | 1979 | Abolished by the Constitution in 1979. | ||
| Malta | *None since independence in 1964 (1943, before independence) | 2000 | Last execution when a colony of Britain was in 1943. Capital punishment for murder abolished in 1971; part of the military code until 2000. | ||
| Moldova | *None since independence in 1991 | 2005 | No executions since independence from USSR in 1991.[365] On 23 September 2005 the Moldovan Constitutional Court approved constitutional amendments that abolished the death penalty.[366] The self-proclaimed state of Transnistria, which is claimed by Moldova, still retains the death penalty but has observed a moratorium on executions since 1999. | ||
| Monaco | 1847 | 1962 | Abolished by Constitution 1962. | ||
| Montenegro | *None since independence in 2006 (1981, before independence) | 1995 | Last execution when a part of Yugoslavia was on 29 January 1981.[367] Capital punishment abolished by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1995. When Montenegro declared independence in 2006 it became an abolitionist state. | ||
| Netherlands | 1952 | 1982 (Netherlands) 2010 (Antilles) | Last execution for peacetime offences in 1860. Abolished for peacetime offences in 1870. Abolished in Netherlands by Constitution 1982. Last Netherlands overseas territory to abolish was Antilles in 2010.[368] | ||
| North Macedonia | *None since independence in 1991 (1988, before independence) | 1991 | Last execution when it was part of Yugoslavia in 1988.[345] Abolished by Constitution in 1991. | ||
| Norway | 1948 | 1979 | Abolished for peacetime offences in 1902, last execution for peacetime offences 1876. Last executions of wartime offenders conducted on 37 men convicted of treason or war crimes in WWII in 1945–48. | ||
| Poland | 1988 | 1998 | A criminal law reform including reintroduction of death penalty was proposed in 2004 by Prawo i Sprawiedliwość, but lost its first reading vote in the Sejm by 198 to 194 with 14 abstentions. It is said that this was only populism, since Poland had joined the European Union so there was no chance.[109] | ||
| Portugal | 1917[345] | 1867 (civil crimes); 1976 (all crimes) | Capital Punishment was abolished for political crimes in 1852, civil crimes in 1867 and war crimes in 1911.[369] In 1916, capital punishment was reinstated only for military offenses that occurred in a war against a foreign country and in the theater of war.[370] Capital punishment was completely abolished again in 1976.[371] | ||
| Romania | 1989 | 1990[372] | The last people to be convicted and executed in Romania were the dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife, Elena Ceaușescu, during the Romanian Revolution of 1989. Their accusations ranged from crimes against humanity to high-treason. Abolished in 1990 and banned by Constitution in 1991. | ||
| Russia | 1999 (Chechnya) 1996 (rest of Russia) | N/A | Shooting. There have been four brief periods when Russia has completely abolished the death penalty, in the 18th century Russian empress Elizabeth abolished it, but it was restored by the next emperor, Peter III of Russia; then, on 12 March 1917 to 12 July 1917 following the overthrow of the Tsar, 27 October 1917 to 16 June 1918 following the seizure of power by the Bolsheviks, and 1947–1950 after the end of the Second World War (Joseph Stalin abolished it in 1947, but he had restored it in 1950, and for this short period, the strictest punishment in USSR was penal servitude in GULAG for 25 years). Currently the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation envisages the death penalty for five crimes: murder with aggravating circumstances, assassination attempt against a state or public figure, attempt on the life of a person administering justice or preliminary investigations, attempt on the life of a law-enforcement officer, and genocide.[373] On 16 April 1997 Russia signed the Sixth Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights, but has yet to ratify it. There has been a moratorium on executions since 1996; no executions have been in the Russian Federation since August 1996. In November 2009, the Constitutional Court extended the moratorium indefinitely pending ratification of the Sixth Protocol. The death penalty is still active by law.[10] | ||
| San Marino | 1468[345] or 1667[374] | 1848 (Civil) 1865 (Military) | Abolished for civilian crimes in 1848. Abolished for all crimes in 1865. | ||
| Serbia | *None since independence in 2006 (1992, before independence) | 1995 | Last execution when a part of Yugoslavia was in 1992. Capital punishment abolished by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1995. When Serbia became independent in 2006 it became an abolitionist state. | ||
| Slovakia | *None since independence in 1993 (1989, before independence) | 1990 | Last execution when a part of Czechoslovakia was in 1989. Abolished 1990 by Constitution when still a constituent part of Czechoslovakia. Upon independence on 1 January 1993 Slovakia became a new abolitionist state. | ||
| Slovenia | *None since independence in 1991 (1959, before independence) | 1991 | Last execution when a part of Yugoslavia was in 1959. Abolished in Slovenian Yugoslav Republic 1989 by Constitution. Upon declaration of independence in 1991 Slovenia removed itself from the jurisdiction of the Federal Yugoslav capital punishment statutes effectively achieving complete abolition. | ||
| Spain | 1975 | 1978 (civilian) 1995 (military) | Abolished in 1978 by Constitution except for wartime offences. Abolished from the military penal code in 1995.[375] | ||
| Sweden | 1910 | 1973 | Peacetime offences 1921, Wartime offences 1973. Constitutionally prohibited since 1975. | ||
| Switzerland | 1944 | 1992 | Capital punishment was abolished in 1874, but reinstated in 1879. It was practiced by a few cantons (nine executions up to 1940). Abolished by popular vote in 1938, except for wartime military crimes, for which it was abolished in 1992. Banned by the 1999 constitution. | ||
| Turkey | 1984 | 2004 | Abolished in 2004 by Constitution. On 29/10/2016, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his government would ask parliament to consider reintroducing capital punishment due to the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt,[376] while suggesting the possibility of reintroducing it through a referendum.[377] | ||
| Ukraine | 1997[378] | 2000[379][380] | Abolished February 2000 after the Constitutional Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in December 1999.[379][380] New criminal code passed in April 2000.[379][380][381] The unrecognized Donetsk People's Republic reintroduced the death penalty for treason in 2014.[382] | ||
| United Kingdom | 1977 (Bermuda) 1964 (UK) | 1998 | Last execution in the UK was in 1964. The last execution on British Overseas Territory occurred in Bermuda in 1977. Abolished for murder in 1969 in Great Britain and 1973 in Northern Ireland. Abolished for all remaining offences (high treason, piracy with violence and offences under military jurisdiction) in UK in 1998. European Convention, 13th Protocol ratified in 2003 confirming total abolition. The last British Territory or Crown Dependency to completely abolish capital punishment was Jersey on 2006 (see Capital punishment in Jersey). | ||
| Vatican City | 1870[383] | 1969 (2001) | Last execution on 9 July 1870. Mazzatello. Never used within the Vatican City itself and only carried out in the Papal States by local authorities where the sentences were handed out. From 1870 to 1929 the Vatican had no sovereign territories, and no death sentences were applied. Officially re-introduced in the Law Codes in 1927, only for papal murder. Abolished in 1969. |
Oceania edit
There are 14 member states of the United Nations in Oceania. Of these:
- 1 (7%) permits its use for ordinary crimes,[clarification needed] but has not used it for at least 10 years and is believed to have a policy or established practice of not carrying out executions.
- 13 (93%) have completely abolished it.
Only Tonga has not formally abolished capital punishment despite not using the practice since 1982.
The countries in Oceania that most recently abolished the death penalty are Papua New Guinea (2022), Nauru (2016), and Fiji (2015).
| Key | Country | Year of last execution | Executions 2019 | Year abolished | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1967[384] | 1985 | Capital punishment was abolished in Queensland in 1922; Tasmania in 1968; the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory and the Commonwealth in 1973; Victoria in 1975; South Australia in 1976; Western Australia in 1984; and New South Wales in 1985. On 11 March 2010, Federal Parliament passed laws that prevent the death penalty from being reintroduced by any state or territory in Australia.[385] | ||
| Fiji | *None since independence in 1970 (1964, before independence) | 2015[386] | Last execution when a colony of Britain was in 1964. The death penalty for crimes under the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Act was abolished in Feb 2015. Abolished for other crimes 1979. | ||
| Kiribati | *None since independence in 1979 | 1979 | |||
| Marshall Islands | *None since independence in 1986 | 1986 | Abolished in 1986 by Constitution. | ||
| Micronesia | *None since independence in 1986 | 1986 | Abolished in 1986 by Constitution. | ||
| Nauru | *None since independence in 1968 | 2016 | Death penalty abolished May 2016.[387] Despite having abolished capital punishment, Nauru voted against the UN Moratorium on the Death Penalty in 2018. | ||
| New Zealand | 1957 | 1989 | Abolished in New Zealand in 1941 for most crimes, reinstated in 1950, abolished again in 1961 for most crimes, and formally abolished for treason in 1989. In 2007 the Cook Islands became the last of New Zealand's overseas territories to abolish capital punishment. | ||
| Palau | *None since independence in 1994 | 1994 | |||
| Papua New Guinea | *None since independence in 1975 (1957, before independence)[388] | 2022 | Last execution when under Australian administration in November 1957. The death penalty was abolished in 1970, five years before independence. It was reinstated in 1991, but never applied. It was abolished again in 2022.[389] | ||
| Samoa | *None since independence in 1962 (1952, before independence)[390] | 2004[391] | Last execution under New Zealand colonial rule in April 1952. Since independence in 1962 all death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. The death penalty was formally abolished in 2004. | ||
| Solomon Islands | *None since independence in 1978 | 1978 | |||
| Tonga | 1982[56] | N/A | Hanging. Death penalty for treason, murder. | ||
| Tuvalu | *None since independence in 1978 | 1978 | |||
| Vanuatu | *None since independence in 1980 | 1980 |
Abolition chronology edit
Abolitionist states
Retentionist states
The table below lists in chronological order the 109 UN member or observer states that have completely abolished the death penalty. In the century after the abolition of capital punishment by Venezuela in 1863, only 11 more countries followed, not counting temporary abolitions that were later reversed. From the 1960s onwards, abolition accelerated: 4 countries abolished capital punishment in the 1960s (a record up to that time for any decade), 11 in the 1970s, and 10 in the 1980s. After the Cold War, many more countries followed: 36 countries abolished capital punishment in the 1990s, with 9 in 1990 alone, 23 in the 2000s, 11 in the 2010s, and 7 so far in the 2020s. Since 1985, there have been only 6 years when no country has abolished the death penalty: 2001, 2003, 2011, 2013, 2018 and 2023.
Note: When a country has abolished, re-instated, and abolished again (e.g. Philippines, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy) only the later abolition date is included. Countries which have abolished and since reinstated (e.g. Liberia, Malawi) are excluded. Dependent territories are considered being under the jurisdiction of their parent country – which leads to unexpectedly late abolition dates for the UK, New Zealand and the Netherlands, where Jersey (UK), the Cook Is (NZ), and the Netherlands Antilles, were the last territories of those states to abolish capital punishment, and all were later than the abolitions on the respective mainlands. References are in the continental tables above and not repeated here.
| Year abolished | Country | Countries per year | Running total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1863 | Venezuela | 1 | 1 |
| 1865 | San Marino | 1 | 2 |
| 1877 | Costa Rica | 1 | 3 |
| 1903 | Panama | 1 | 4 |
| 1906 | Ecuador | 1 | 5 |
| 1907 | Uruguay | 1 | 6 |
| 1910 | Colombia | 1 | 7 |
| 1928 | Iceland | 1 | 8 |
| 1949 | Germany | 1 | 9 |
| 1956 | Honduras | 1 | 10 |
| 1962 | Monaco | 1 | 11 |
| 1966 | Dominican Republic | 1 | 12 |
| 1968 | Austria | 1 | 13 |
| 1969 | Vatican City | 1 | 14 |
| 1972 | Finland | 1 | 15 |
| 1973 | Sweden | 1 | 16 |
| 1976 | Portugal | 1 | 17 |
| 1978 | Denmark Solomon Islands Tuvalu | 3 | 20 |
| 1979 | Kiribati Luxembourg Nicaragua Norway | 4 | 24 |
| 1980 | Vanuatu | 1 | 25 |
| 1981 | Cape Verde France | 2 | 27 |
| 1982 | Netherlands | 1 | 28 |
| 1985 | Australia | 1 | 29 |
| 1986 | Marshall Islands Micronesia | 2 | 31 |
| 1988 | Haiti | 1 | 32 |
| 1989 | Cambodia Liechtenstein New Zealand | 3 | 35 |
| 1990 | Andorra ( Czech Republic Slovakia as Czechoslovakia) Hungary Ireland Mozambique Namibia Romania São Tomé and Príncipe | 9 | 44 |
| 1991 | Croatia North Macedonia Slovenia | 3 | 47 |
| 1992 | Angola Paraguay Switzerland | 3 | 50 |
| 1993 | Guinea-Bissau Seychelles | 2 | 52 |
| 1994 | Italy Palau | 2 | 54 |
| 1995 | Djibouti Mauritius ( Montenegro Serbia as Yugoslavia) South Africa Spain | 6 | 60 |
| 1996 | Belgium | 1 | 61 |
| 1997 | Nepal | 1 | 62 |
| 1998 | Armenia Azerbaijan Bulgaria Estonia Lithuania Poland | 6 | 68 |
| 1999 | Canada Turkmenistan | 2 | 70 |
| 2000 | Ivory Coast Malta Ukraine | 3 | 73 |
| 2002 | Cyprus East Timor United Kingdom | 3 | 76 |
| 2004 | Bhutan Greece Samoa Senegal Turkey | 5 | 81 |
| 2005 | Mexico Moldova | 2 | 83 |
| 2006 | Georgia Philippines | 2 | 85 |
| 2007 | Albania Kyrgyzstan Rwanda | 3 | 88 |
| 2008 | Uzbekistan | 1 | 89 |
| 2009 | Argentina Bolivia Burundi Togo | 4 | 93 |
| 2010 | Gabon | 1 | 94 |
| 2012 | Latvia Mongolia | 2 | 96 |
| 2014 | capital, punishment, country, capital, punishment, also, called, death, penalty, state, sanctioned, killing, person, punishment, crime, historically, been, used, almost, every, part, world, 2020s, many, countries, abolished, discontinued, practice, 2022, updat. Capital punishment also called the death penalty is the state sanctioned killing of a person as a punishment for a crime It has historically been used in almost every part of the world By the 2020s many countries had abolished or discontinued the practice 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 In 2022 update the 5 countries that executed the most people were in descending order China Iran Saudi Arabia Egypt and the United States 8 Maintain the death penalty in both law and practice Abolished in practice no execution in over 10 years and under a moratorium Abolished in law except in exceptional circumstances such as war Completely abolished The 193 United Nations member states and 2 observer states fall into 4 categories based on their use of capital punishment As of 2024 update 9 53 27 maintain the death penalty in law and practice 23 11 permit its use but have abolished it de facto per Amnesty International standards they have not used it for at least 10 years and are believed to have a policy or practice of not carrying out executions 10 10 5 have abolished it for all crimes except those committed under exceptional circumstances such as during war most recently Ghana 2023 109 56 have completely abolished it most recently the Central African Republic 2022 Since 1990 at least 11 countries have executed offenders who were minors under the age of 18 or 21 at the time the crime was committed which is a breach of the Convention on the Rights of the Child ratified by all countries but the United States These are China the Democratic Republic of Congo Iran Nigeria Pakistan North Korea Saudi Arabia South Sudan Sudan the United States and Yemen 11 12 13 In the United States this ended in 2005 with the Supreme Court case Roper v Simmons in Nigeria in 2015 by law 14 and in Saudi Arabia in 2020 by royal decree 15 Contents 1 Global overview 1 1 Africa 1 2 Americas 1 3 Asia 1 4 Europe 1 5 Post Soviet states 1 6 Oceania 1 7 Human Development Index 1 8 Developed countries 1 9 Numbers executed in 2022 2 Capital punishment by continents 2 1 Africa 2 2 Americas 2 3 Asia 2 4 Europe 2 5 Oceania 3 Abolition chronology 4 See also 5 Footnotes 6 References 7 External linksGlobal overview editAfrica edit In Africa many countries maintain the death penalty in law Some such countries such as Algeria and Cameroon have moratoriums and have not used it for over a decade making them abolitionist in practice In Nigeria some states are de facto abolitionist while others are retentionist In 2018 Burkina Faso repealed the death penalty for civilian crimes and the Gambia announced a moratorium as a first step towards abolition 16 Sierra Leone abolished capital punishment in 2021 as did the Central African Republic in 2022 17 18 19 For civilian crimes Equatorial Guinea and Zambia abolished it in 2022 and Ghana did so in 2023 20 Americas edit In Caribbean countries the death penalty exists at least de jure except in the Dominican Republic and Haiti which abolished it in 1969 and 1987 respectively Grenada is abolitionist in practice its last execution was in 1978 The last execution in the Caribbean and the last in the Americas outside the United States was in Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2008 In Central and South America the death penalty exists in Belize and Guyana though it has not been used since 1985 and 1997 In Brazil Chile El Salvador Guatemala and Peru executions are legal in some circumstances such as war crimes and were abolished for civil crimes In 1976 Canada abolished the death penalty for non military offences in 1999 it abolished it for military offences In 2005 Mexico abolished the death penalty in 2009 Argentina abolished it Asia edit China is the world s most active user of the death penalty according to Amnesty International China executes more people than the rest of the world combined each year 21 In December 2015 Mongolia repealed the death penalty for all crimes 22 and in June 2022 Kazakhstan abolished it completely 23 India rarely executes criminals carrying out just 30 executions since 1991 24 India most recently executed 4 perpetrators of a gang rape and murder case in March 2020 25 Japan sometimes executes criminals carrying out 130 executions since 1993 Japan most recently executed Tomohiro Katō in July 2022 26 According to a 2017 report by the National Human Rights Commission from Myanmar over 700 prisoners in 26 prisons across the country had death sentences commuted to life imprisonment 27 Singapore resumed executions in March 2022 after a two year moratorium due to the COVID 19 pandemic Singapore came under scrutiny for executing drug traffickers in several high profile cases including Nagaenthran Dharmalingam who was hanged in April 2022 28 and Tangaraju Suppiah who was hanged in April 2023 29 In July 2023 a convicted drug trafficker named Saridewi binte Djamani was executed becoming the first female offender hanged in Singapore in 19 years after the 2004 hanging of Yen May Woen 30 Singapore s first execution for murder since 2019 was carried out in February 2024 when Bangladeshi painter Ahmed Salim was hanged for murdering his ex girlfriend in 2018 31 Europe edit Main article Capital punishment in Europe The European Union holds a strong position against the death penalty its abolition is a key objective for the Union s human rights policy Abolition is also a pre condition for entry into the European Union In Europe only Belarus continues to actively use capital punishment 32 33 34 35 Capital punishment has been completely abolished in all European countries except for Belarus and Russia the latter of which has a moratorium and has not conducted an execution since 1996 The absolute ban on the death penalty is enshrined in both the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union EU and two widely adopted protocols of the European Convention on Human Rights of the Council of Europe and is thus considered a central value Of all present European countries San Marino Portugal and the Netherlands were the first to abolish capital punishment Romania banned it even earlier in 1864 but it was much later reintroduced from 1936 to 1990 in Italy the nationwide ban on the death penalty dates from 1889 capital punishment had previously not been in force in Tuscany alone since 1859 and even earlier for short periods starting from 1786 but it was then reintroduced during the fascist regime now only Belarus still uses capital punishment In 2012 Latvia became the last EU member state to abolish capital punishment in wartime 36 Post Soviet states edit This section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed August 2023 Learn how and when to remove this message Russia retains the death penalty in law but there has been a moratorium since 1996 making it de facto abolitionist The last execution on Russian territory was in Chechnya in 1999 Of the other former Soviet republics only Belarus and Tajikistan have not formally abolished capital punishment and only Belarus uses it in practice In 2000 Ukraine abolished the death penalty completely Oceania edit The Kingdom of Tahiti when the island was independent was the first legislative assembly in the world to abolish the death penalty in 1824 Tahiti commuted the death penalty to banishment 37 Nearly all countries in this region have abolished the death penalty as a form of punishment and the last country that still has it in law Tonga has not used it since 1982 and is considered de facto abolitionist Australia abolished the death penalty completely in 1985 Human Development Index edit There are 65 sovereign states with a very high human development according to the 2021 2022 Human Development Report 38 Of these 14 22 maintain the death penalty in both law and practice Singapore Japan the United States United Arab Emirates Bahrain Saudi Arabia Qatar Kuwait Oman the Bahamas Trinidad and Tobago Belarus Malaysia a and Thailand 3 5 permit its use but have not used it for at least 10 years and are believed to have a policy or established practice of not carrying out executions South Korea Brunei and Russia 2 3 have abolished it for all crimes except those committed under exceptional circumstances such as during war Israel and Chile 46 71 have completely abolished it including Argentina Australia Austria Canada Denmark Finland France Germany Italy Norway Poland Spain Sweden Switzerland and the United Kingdom Singapore has the highest Human Development Index of all the countries that use the death penalty while Japan has both the highest inequality adjusted HDI and the highest planetary pressures adjusted HDI Developed countries edit As of 2022 36 of the 40 countries and territories that are classified by the IMF as developed countries advanced economies including the non UN members Hong Kong Macau 40 have completely abolished the death penalty Only the United States Japan Singapore and Taiwan retain the death penalty for ordinary crimes and Israel for crimes under exceptional circumstances such as during war Numbers executed in 2022 edit At least 21 countries performed executions in 2022 update 8 41 42 Americas 1 country United States 18 Asia 13 countries Afghanistan unknown Bangladesh 4 China unknown Iran 596 Iraq unknown Japan 1 Kuwait 7 North Korea unknown Saudi Arabia 146 Singapore 11 Syria unknown Vietnam unknown Yemen 1 Africa 3 countries Egypt unknown Somalia 19 South Sudan 2 Precise numbers are not available for many countries so the total number of executions is unknown Other countries like Burma and Libya have conducted extrajudicial executions Capital punishment by continents editAfrica edit There are 54 United Nations member states in Africa Of these 12 22 maintain the death penalty in both law and practice 14 26 permit its use but have not used it for at least 10 years and are believed to have a policy of not carrying out executions 4 7 have abolished it for all crimes except those committed under exceptional circumstances such as during war 24 44 have completely abolished it Many African countries have carried out no executions for over 10 years but are not believed to have an abolitionist policy or established practice Nigeria is only retentionist in the northern states that use sharia law and in some southern states such as Imo Many southern states are abolitionist in practice due to a moratorium that has been in place since 2004 The countries in Africa that most recently abolished the death penalty are Ghana 2023 Zambia 2022 and Equatorial Guinea 2022 for ordinary crimes clarification needed Zimbabwe 2024 Central African Republic 2022 and Sierra Leone 2021 for all crimes Executions in Africa in 2019 Botswana 1 Egypt 29 Somalia 13 South Sudan 7 43 44 Key Country Year of last execution Executions 2019 Year abolished Notes nbsp Algeria 1993 n a Main article Capital punishment in AlgeriaFiring Squad shooting Death penalty for treason espionage aggravated murder castration resulting in death arson or destruction using explosive devices of buildings vehicles or harvests resulting in death intentional destruction of military equipment resulting in death attempts to change the regime or actions aimed at incitement destruction of territory sabotage to public and economic utilities massacres and slaughters participation in armed bands or in insurrectionary movements counterfeiting terrorism acts of torture or cruelty kidnapping aggravated theft some military offences poisoning attempting a death eligible offense some cases of recidivism and perjury leading to a death sentence pronounced 45 Currently under a moratorium On 20 December 2012 Algeria co sponsored and voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty at the UN General Assembly 46 nbsp Angola 1977 47 1992 Main article Capital punishment in AngolaAbolished in 1992 by Constitution nbsp Benin 1987 2012 Main article Capital punishment in BeninOn 6 July 2012 Benin acceded to the Second Additional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which makes Benin abolitionist 48 The decision was upheld by the Constitutional Court in January 2016 although the death penalty is still present in statutes 10 nbsp Botswana 2021 49 1 n a Main article Capital punishment in BotswanaHanging and state also has power to determine method of execution by offense committed Death penalty for murder espionage treason attempt on the life of the head of state mutiny desertion in the face of the enemy aggravated piracy and terrorism Persons excused from capital punishment are pregnant women teenagers who were younger than 18 at time of crime and the mentally ill 50 nbsp Burkina Faso 1988 N A Military 2018 Civilian 51 Main article Capital punishment in Burkina FasoDeath penalty still retained for war crimes Capital punishment was abolished for other offenses in 2018 52 nbsp Burundi 2000 53 2009 54 Main article Capital punishment in BurundiDeath penalty abolished in revised 2009 criminal code Extrajudicial executions are still commonplace 55 Despite having abolished capital punishment Burundi voted against the UN Moratorium on the Death Penalty in 2016 nbsp Cameroon 1997 56 n a Main article Capital punishment in CameroonHanging firing squad shooting Death penalty for secession espionage treason terrorism aggravated murder premeditated murder violent theft leading to death or causing grievous bodily harm abduction of a minor resulting in the death of that minor assault on a state employee with intent to kill attempt of a death eligible crime and conspiracy to commit a death eligible crime plundering by gangs using force during times of war and incitement to war 57 58 In February 2014 the President of the Republic Paul Biya commuted all persons condemned to the death penalty to life in prison The decree commuted their sentences to 25 years incarceration 59 However death sentences have continued to be handed down as of 2016 update 60 nbsp Cape Verde None since independence in 1975 1835 before independence 1981 Main article Capital punishment in Cape VerdeLast execution when a colony of Portugal was 1835 Abolished in 1981 by Constitution nbsp Central African Republic 1981 2022 Main article Capital punishment in the Central African RepublicThe National Assembly passed a bill abolishing capital punishment on 27 May 2022 President Touadera has vowed to sign it into law 61 nbsp Chad 2015 62 2020 Main article Capital punishment in ChadCapital punishment was abolished in 2014 63 but then reintroduced the following year for acts of terror 64 In April 2020 Chad s Parliament unanimously abolished the death penalty for terrorism 65 66 nbsp Comoros 1997 67 n a Main article Capital punishment in the Comoros Firing squad Death penalty for aggravated murder murder rape if it results in the death of the victim barbaric actions including torture and aggravated rape 68 Persons excluded from capital punishment are pregnant women women with small children teenagers who were under 18 at the time of the crime and the mentally ill nbsp Congo Republic of the 1982 2015 69 Main article Capital punishment in the Republic of the CongoDeath penalty abolished November 2015 by Constitution nbsp Djibouti None since independence in 1977 1995 Main article Capital punishment in Djibouti nbsp Congo Democratic Republic of the 2003 70 n a Main article Capital punishment in the Democratic Republic of the CongoHanging shooting Death penalty for murder aggravated murder treason destruction of military facilities resulting in death imposing superstitious trials by ordeal resulting in death terrorism armed robbery drug trafficking and drug possession during wartime espionage misappropriation by a public prosecutor of seized or confiscated goods in time of war some military offences war crimes genocide and crimes against humanity 71 nbsp Egypt 2024 72 29 n a Main article Capital punishment in EgyptHanging firing squad Death penalty for rape if the victim is also kidnapped murder treason terrorism espionage perjury causing wrongful execution 73 and organized drug trafficking Those excused from the death penalty are women with small children women who are pregnant teenagers who were under 18 at the time of the crime and the mentally ill 74 In Egypt it is believed that at least 1 700 people were executed under the death penalty and 1 413 death sentences alone were issued between 2007 and 2014 74 Since the beginning of 2015 there have been reports of at least 354 death sentences carried out however numbers are not totally reliable due to the government s secrecy nbsp Equatorial Guinea 2014 75 2022 civil crimes Main article Capital punishment in Equatorial GuineaOn 19 September 2022 President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo signed a new penal code into law that abolished the death penalty for most crimes however statutes still permit the death penalty for some military offenses 76 77 nbsp Eritrea 1989 n a Main article Capital punishment in EritreaHanging shooting Last execution when part of Ethiopia was 1989 Death penalty for murder armed robbery espionage treason economic crimes military offenses war crimes and genocide At least one execution may have been carried out between 1999 and 2008 but this remains unconfirmed 78 nbsp Eswatini 1983 79 n a Main article Capital punishment in EswatiniDeath penalty for murder 80 treason nbsp Ethiopia 2007 81 n a Main article Capital punishment in EthiopiaFiring squad Death penalty for murder robbery resulting in death or permanent disability of the victim armed robbery terrorism some economic crimes espionage treason certain military offences armed conspiracy war crimes genocide attempted capital offenses certain economic crimes in time of war and outrages against the constitution 82 nbsp Gabon 1985 83 2010 84 Main article Capital punishment in GabonAbolished in February 2010 nbsp Gambia 2012 85 n a Main article Capital punishment in the GambiaHanging firing squad Death penalty for treason murder and terrorism 86 Capital punishment was abolished in 1993 but was reinstated by Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council in August 1995 87 In February 2018 Gambia announced a moratorium on the death penalty 88 In September 2018 it ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights In May 2019 it commuted 22 death sentences to life imprisonment 89 nbsp Ghana 1993 2023 most crimes Main article Capital punishment in GhanaFiring squad hanging Death penalty for high treason In 2023 Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for all other crimes 90 The repeal of the death penalty is not retroactive at least one death sentence was handed down after abolition for a crime that occurred before the repeal went into effect 91 nbsp Guinea 2001 92 2017 Main article Capital punishment in GuineaAbolished 2016 for ordinary crimes clarification needed 2017 for all crimes 93 nbsp Guinea Bissau 1986 1993 Main article Capital punishment in Guinea BissauAbolished 1993 by Constitution nbsp Ivory Coast None since independence in 1960 87 2000 Main article Capital punishment in Ivory Coast nbsp Kenya 1987 n a Main article Capital punishment in KenyaHanging Death penalty for terrorism terrorism acts high treason murder armed robbery 94 treason military offenses and administering an oath purported to bind a person to commit a capital offense 95 On 3 August 2009 the death sentences of all 4 000 death row inmates were commuted to life imprisonment and government studies were ordered to determine if the death penalty has any impact on crime In 2017 the Supreme Court of Kenya struck down the mandatory death penalty as unconstitutional nbsp Lesotho 1995 96 n a Main article Capital punishment in LesothoHanging Death penalty for murder treason rape and military offenses such as mutiny 97 nbsp Liberia 2000 98 n a Main article Capital punishment in LiberiaHanging Death penalty for aggravated murder armed robbery terrorism mercenarism resulting in death hijacking treason and espionage 99 Liberia acceded to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights abolishing the death penalty on 16 September 2005 it re introduced elements of it in July 2008 100 101 nbsp Libya 2010 102 n a Main article Capital punishment in LibyaFiring squad shooting Libya executed more people 18 in 2010 than any other African state Current laws allow capital punishment for high treason attempt to forcibly change the form of government premeditated murder aggravated murder terrorism drug trafficking robbery resulting in death espionage and military offences such as assisting the enemy or undermining the defense or the territorial integrity of the State 103 104 Extrajudicial killings are commonplace in Libya 105 Amnesty International said that Libyan human rights organizations reported 31 executions from 2018 and 2020 but this is not confirmed 106 nbsp Madagascar None since independence in 1960 1958 before independence 2014 Main article Capital punishment in MadagascarAbolished 10 December 2014 107 Earlier on 24 September 2012 Madagascar had signed the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 108 nbsp Malawi 1992 109 n a Main article Capital punishment in MalawiExecutions by hanging Death penalty for murder rape violent robbery burglary treason housebreaking and military offenses 110 nbsp Mali 1980 n a Main article Capital punishment in MaliExecutions by firing squad Death penalty for aggravated murder terrorism violent robbery armed robbery or gang robbery arson kidnapping treason espionage certain military offenses crimes against humanity genocide assaulting on duty state employees with the intention of causing death poisoning or mass poisoning of water supplies committing torture or barbarous acts in the course of a serious offense and attempting a death eligible crime 111 Currently no individual has been executed since 1980 making Mali a de facto abolitionist country nbsp Mauritania 1987 n a Main article Capital punishment in MauritaniaDeath penalty for homosexuality sodomy 112 apostasy 113 no recorded executions blasphemy 114 adultery murder aggravated murder terrorism torture rape armed robbery attempted armed robbery arson accomplice to a death eligible crime assaulting a judge or public official in the course of his duties resulting in his death kidnapping resulting in death abandoning a child or an incapacitated person causing his her death espionage treason perjury causing wrongful execution some cases of repeat offences and the voluntary destruction of buildings bridges dams or roads causing deaths 115 nbsp Mauritius 1987 1995 Main article Capital punishment in Mauritius nbsp Morocco 1993 n a Main article Human rights in Morocco Capital punishment and imprisonmentDeath penalty for terrorism 94 treason espionage corruption perjury causing wrongful execution and aggravated murder 116 In December 2013 a parliamentary opposition group filed a bill to abolish the death penalty in Morocco The MP who introduced the bill said he was optimistic about the bill passing in view of the current reform movement in Morocco 117 nbsp Mozambique 1986 1990 Main article Capital punishment in MozambiqueAbolished November 1990 by Constitution nbsp Namibia None since independence in 1990 1988 before independence 1990 Main article Capital punishment in NamibiaLast execution when occupied by South Africa was in 1988 Abolished March 1990 by Constitution nbsp Niger 1976 n a Main article Capital punishment in NigerExecutions by firing squad Death penalty allowed for aggravated murder castration resulting in death kidnapping a minor resulting in death terrorism robbery treason espionage genocide crimes against humanity attempt or conspiracy to commit genocide crimes against humanity and certain war crimes torture human trafficking poisoning harboring criminals perjury leading to a person being sentenced to death attempting to commit a death eligible offense and recidivism in case of most serious offenses 118 Abolitionist de facto as the last execution took place in 1976 nbsp Nigeria 2016 119 n a Main article Capital punishment in Nigeria Death penalty for murder blasphemy homosexuality adultery treason rape robbery incest assisting the suicide of a person legally unable to consent perjury in a capital case causing wrongful execution terrorism terrorist acts some military offences sodomy 120 kidnapping and practice of indigenous beliefs in states applying Shariah law 121 Each of the 36 states has its own laws Northern majority Muslim states also apply Sharia law Some Southern states of Nigeria are de facto abolitionist since they have imposed a moratorium on the death penalty since 2004 122 while others continue to carry out executions nbsp Rwanda 1998 2007 123 Main article Capital punishment in RwandaSince some of the perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide fled to countries that refuse to extradite suspects to countries that use capital punishment the Rwandan parliament voted to abolish capital punishment in 2007 nbsp Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic n a The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is only partly recognised and claimed in whole by Morocco The Sahrawi constitution which applies only in the Polisario held territories in the far east and extreme south of the Western Sahara bans the death penalty nbsp Sao Tome and Principe None since independence in 1975 1990 Abolished September 1990 by Constitution nbsp Senegal 1967 2004 Main article Capital punishment in Senegal nbsp Seychelles None since independence in 1976 1993 Main article Capital punishment in SeychellesAbolished June 1993 by Constitution nbsp Sierra Leone 1998 2021 124 Main article Capital punishment in Sierra LeonePrior to abolition death penalty was for treason 125 murder aggravated robbery Under the Special Court for Sierra Leone the death penalty is not a punishment for war crimes nbsp Somalia 2023 72 13 n a Main article Capital punishment in SomaliaHanging firing squad or stoning Somalia is the only African state that carries out public executions The Transitional Federal Government laws allowed for execution in the limited area of the country it used to control for murder terrorism treason espionage homosexuality some military offences blasphemy apostasy and adultery nbsp South Africa 1989 1995 Main article Capital punishment in South AfricaThe last execution by the South African government was on 14 November 1989 An execution occurred in the internationally unrecognised homeland of Venda in 1991 56 Capital punishment was declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court on 6 June 1995 in the case of S v Makwanyane and Another In 1997 the Criminal Law Amendment Act formally removed the invalidated provisions from the statute book and made provision for the resentencing of prisoners previously sentenced to death 126 On 25 May 2005 the Constitutional Court ordered that all remaining death sentences in the country be set aside and the prisoners resentenced as soon as possible 127 nbsp South Sudan 2022 128 7 n a Main article Capital punishment in South SudanDeath penalty for treason insurgency banditry sabotage or terrorism resulting in death perjury in a capital case leading to wrongful execution murder attempted murder causing injury by a person sentenced to life for a previous murder brigandage with murder and drug dealing under aggravated circumstances 129 nbsp Sudan 2021 130 n a Main article Capital punishment in SudanGarrotte Death penalty for waging war against the state 131 prostitution drug trafficking treason perjury in a capital case causing wrongful execution espionage acts that may endanger the independence or unity of the state murder armed robbery abetting the suicide of an individual unable to give legal consent terrorism rape and incest committed by a married offender 132 nbsp Tanzania 1994 n a Main article Capital punishment in TanzaniaDeath penalty for murder treason military offenses mutiny by prison officers and abortion in Zanzibar semi autonomous region 133 nbsp Togo 1978 134 2009 135 Main article Capital punishment in Togo nbsp Tunisia 1990 n a Main article Capital punishment in TunisiaDeath penalty for murder terrorism terrorism acts violence and aggression attacks against the external security of the state kidnapping and sequestration resulting in death treason espionage rape arson military offenses attempt of a death eligible offense and assault on a judge on duty with threat or use of a weapon 136 On 6 January 2014 the National Constituent Assembly NCA voted for maintaining capital punishment in the upcoming constitution in Tunisia The votes were by 135 yes out of a total of 174 137 Since 2015 it has been possible to give the death penalty for terrorism nbsp Uganda 2005 138 n a Main article Capital punishment in UgandaDeath penalty for murder terrorism kidnapping rape homosexuality robbery if the offender uses or threatens to use a deadly weapon resulting in death or causing grievous harm to anyone smuggling if the offender uses or threatens to use a deadly weapon resulting in death or causing grievous harm to anyone treason and some military offences 139 140 In 2009 the Supreme Court upheld a 2005 Constitutional Court ruling that although the death penalty was constitutional its use as a mandatory punishment for certain crimes was not 141 In 2019 mandatory death penalty was abolished by law 142 nbsp Zambia 1997 2022 civil crimes Main article Capital punishment in ZambiaIn 2022 president Hakainde Hichilema signed into law a bill abolishing the death penalty for most crimes though capital punishment still remains in military statutes 143 20 77 nbsp Zimbabwe 2005 144 n a Main article Capital punishment in ZimbabweDeath penalty for murder high treason terrorism some military offences attempted murder incitement or conspiracy to commit murder war crimes and genocide 145 A bill to abolish the death penalty has been proposed and it received cabinet approval in February 2024 146 Americas edit There are 35 United Nations member states in the Americas Of these 13 37 maintain the death penalty in both law and practice 1 3 permits its use but has not used it for at least 10 years and is believed to have a policy or established practice of not carrying out executions 5 14 have abolished it for all crimes except those committed under exceptional circumstances such as during war 16 46 have completely abolished it Many Caribbean countries have carried out no executions for over 10 years but are not believed to have an abolitionist policy or established practice As of 2024 the United States is the only country in the Americas to conduct executions for civil purposes 147 2 3 4 5 6 7 Capital punishment applies nationwide on the federal level for certain federal crimes Some states have retained capital punishment for state offences while other states are abolitionist Of the fifty states and one federal district 20 have abolished capital punishment entirely citation needed 2 states are abolitionist in practice for state crimes citation needed 5 states have imposed formal moratoriums and one state has imposed an informal moratorium but these states cannot be considered abolitionist in practice for state crimes as the moratoriums have been in place for under a decade citation needed Outside of the United States the last execution elsewhere in the Americas was in Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2008 The countries in the Americas that most recently abolished the death penalty are Suriname 2015 Argentina 2009 and Bolivia 2009 Guatemala abolished the death penalty for civil cases in 2017 Executions in the Americas in 2019 United States 22 148 Key Country Year of last execution Executions 2019 Year abolished Notes nbsp Antigua and Barbuda 1991 N A Hanging Death penalty for murder and treason 149 Currently no individual is under the sentence of death as the last death sentence in the country was commuted in 2016 150 nbsp Argentina 1956 2009 Main article Capital punishment in ArgentinaConstitution of 1853 states The penalty of death for political offences all kinds of torture and flogging are forever abolished 151 And was completely abolished by the Penal Code of 30 April 1922 152 Despite this it was reinstated on several occasions Between 6 September 1930 by martial law until 20 February 1932 152 Between 9 June 1956 by martial law imposing summary executions 153 and abolished on 13 June 1956 154 Between 2 June 1970 155 156 and abolished on 27 May 1973 157 Between 25 June 1976 158 and finally abolished on 9 August 1984 159 On 26 August 2008 a new Code of Military Justice was promulgated that abolished death penalty The new Code came into effect six months later on 26 February 2009 160 161 nbsp Bahamas 2000 N A Main article Capital punishment in the BahamasHanging Death penalty for treason piracy murder Currently no individual is under the sentence of death as the last death sentence in the country was commuted in 2016 150 nbsp Barbados 1984 56 N A Death penalty for murder terrorism participating in a mutiny treason and espionage 162 Presently under review before the IACHR citation needed despite strong national support 163 164 nbsp Belize 1985 56 N A Death penalty for murder except where extenuating circumstances can be proved 165 aggravated murder war crimes crimes against humanity genocide some military offences and treason 166 nbsp Bolivia 1973 167 2009 Main article Capital punishment in BoliviaAbolished for ordinary crimes clarification needed in 1997 The death penalty does not exist Article 15 nbsp Brazil 1876 N A Military 1978 Civilian Main article Capital punishment in BrazilHanging in the past for civil offences firing squad military offences Brazil has always maintained the death penalty in wartime as part of its Military Code but after Brazil became a Republic in 1889 capital punishment for civil offenses or for military offences committed in peacetime was abolished by the first republican Constitution adopted in 1891 The penalty for crimes committed in peacetime was then reinstated during two periods from 1938 to 1946 and from 1969 to 1978 but on those occasions it was restricted to acts of terrorism or subversion considered internal warfare 168 169 170 171 The current Constitution of Brazil 1988 expressly forbids the use of capital punishment except for military offences committed during a war duly declared by Congress 172 The last person to suffer the death penalty in Brazil was executed in 1876 during the Imperial era After 1876 Emperor Pedro II adopted in practice an abolitionist policy by directing that all death sentences be submitted by the Courts to the Imperial Government for examination regarding commutation even without a request for pardon or commutation from the person condemned and by granting commutations for all death sentences that were passed For more information see Capital punishment in Brazil nbsp Canada 1962 1999 Main article Capital punishment in CanadaAbolished in 1976 for murder treason and piracy last execution in 1962 last sentence in 1976 abolished 1999 for military offences last execution in 1945 nbsp Chile 1985 N A Military 2001 Civilian Main article Capital punishment in ChileShooting Death penalty remains applicable to military personnel for war crimes and crimes against humanity during wartime Abolished for all other cases in 2001 nbsp Colombia 1907 173 1910 Main article Capital punishment in ColombiaAbolished in 1910 by Constitutional reform Prohibited by the Colombian Constitution of 1991 The right to life is inviolable There will be no death penalty nbsp Costa Rica 1859 174 1877 Main article Capital punishment in Costa RicaAbolished 1877 by Constitution nbsp Cuba 2003 175 N A Main article Capital punishment in CubaFiring squad Death penalty for murder attempted murder hijacking acts of terrorism treason espionage 176 political offenses clarification needed child rape molestation of a child under 12 years of age with aggravating factors rape of an adult with aggravating factors rape of an adult that results in death illness or grievous bodily harm robbery with aggravating factors drug offenses production of child pornography child trafficking child prostitution child corruption piracy working as a mercenary apartheid genocide pedophilia While there have been no executions since 2003 and the last death sentences were commuted by the Supreme Court in 2010 with nobody sentenced to death since then there is no formal or informal moratorium or abolitionist policy making the country still retentionist 177 178 179 nbsp Dominica 1986 N A Executions by hanging Death penalty for aggravated murder and treason 180 nbsp Dominican Republic 1966 1966 Abolished 1966 by Constitution nbsp Ecuador 1884 1906 Abolished 1906 by Constitution nbsp El Salvador 1973 N A Military 1983 Civilian Main article Capital punishment in El SalvadorMay be imposed only in cases provided by military laws during a state of international war 181 Abolished for other crimes 1983 nbsp Grenada 1978 182 N A Main article Capital punishment in Grenada nbsp Guatemala 2000 183 N A Military 2017 Civilian Main article Capital punishment in GuatemalaLethal injection Until 2017 death penalty for murder espionage treason drug trafficking kidnapping torture and terrorism Abolished for civil cases in 2017 nbsp Guyana 1997 N A Main article Capital punishment in GuyanaDeath penalty for terrorist acts 184 murder treason and armed robbery piracy drug trafficking and terrorist offences resulting in death While the constitution states that the death penalty is not a mandatory punishment many provisions of the criminal code suggests that the death penalty may be mandatory for these crimes as no alternatives to such sentence of death is found under any law nbsp Haiti 1972 1987 Abolished 1987 by Constitution nbsp Honduras 1940 1956 Abolished 1956 by Constitution nbsp Jamaica 1988 185 N A Main article Capital punishment in JamaicaDeath penalty for murder 186 nbsp Mexico 1961 Military 1957 Civilian 2005 Main article Capital punishment in MexicoAbolished for all crimes in 2005 187 nbsp Nicaragua 1930 1979 Abolished 1979 by Constitution nbsp Panama 1903 188 1903 Abolished 1903 by Constitution nbsp Paraguay 1917 189 1992 Main article Capital punishment in ParaguayAbolished 1992 by Constitution nbsp Peru 1979 N A Military 1979 Civilian Main article Capital punishment in PeruFiring squad Death penalty for treason terrorism espionage genocide mutiny desertion in times of war 181 Abolished for other crimes 1979 nbsp Saint Kitts and Nevis 2008 190 N A Main article Capital punishment in Saint Kitts and NevisHanging Death penalty for murder and treason nbsp Saint Lucia 1995 N A Hanging Death penalty for murder treason nbsp Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1995 N A Death penalty for murder treason nbsp Suriname 1982 2015 191 Main article Capital punishment in SurinameAbolished 2015 nbsp Trinidad and Tobago 1999 N A Main article Capital punishment in Trinidad and TobagoDeath penalty for murder treason 192 nbsp United States 2024 22 N A Some states have abolished the death penalty Main article Capital punishment in the United StatesSee also Capital punishment in American Samoa and Capital punishment in Puerto RicoMethods vary by state federal and military policy but include lethal injection electric chair firing squad gas chamber and inert gas asphyxiation Federal law provides the death penalty for many homicide related crimes espionage treason terrorism murder robbery when it results in death and extreme cases of drug trafficking when it involves homicide 193 194 27 of the 50 states currently have the death penalty though some are under moratorium or have not conducted any executions in decades Of the non state territories American Samoa still has capital punishment as a local statute 195 and the others have abolished it The Supreme Court has severely limited the crimes that the death penalty can be a punishment for It has also abolished the death penalty for crimes committed by a person under the age of 18 Sentences of death may be handed down by a jury or a judge upon a bench trial or a guilty plea nbsp Uruguay 1902 1907 Main article Capital punishment in UruguayAbolished by the Law No 3238 on 23 September 1907 and by the Constitution of 1918 nbsp Venezuela None since independence in 1830 1863 Main article Capital punishment in VenezuelaAbolished 1863 by Constitution Asia edit There are 42 United Nations member states in Asia and one observer state Of these 27 63 maintain the death penalty in both law and practice 5 12 permit its use for ordinary crimes clarification needed but have not used it for at least 10 years and are believed to have a policy or established practice of not carrying out executions 1 2 has abolished it for all crimes except those committed under exceptional circumstances such as during war 10 23 have completely abolished it The information above does not include Taiwan which is not a UN member Taiwan practices the death penalty by shooting and conducted one execution each in 2016 2018 and 2020 citation needed Hong Kong and Macau are listed below they abolished the death penalty before their handover to China but they are not included in the figures above as they do not have UN membership separate from China This makes China retentionist only in the mainland citation needed On 25 July 2022 because of Myanmar s civil war between the military junta who rule most areas of the country and the civilian government it overthrow the junta carried out executions making it the first executions since 1988 making the country retentionist in areas controlled by the Tatmadaw Under the civilian government who internationally and according to the UN remain the legal government and in areas controlled by it the country continues to be abolitionist in practice 196 Iraq also has a regional variety of retentionism and abolitionism as Iraqi Kurdistan is de facto abolitionist for ordinary crimes clarification needed due to a moratorium that has been in place since 2007 The rest of Iraq the majority of the country is fully retentionist citation needed Indonesia has an informal moratorium and Malaysia a formal one both in place since 2018 In April 2023 legislation abolishing the mandatory death penalty was passed in Malaysia 39 The countries in Asia that most recently abolished the death penalty are Kazakhstan 2021 Mongolia 2017 and Uzbekistan 2008 In 2019 Asia had the world s five leading practitioners of capital punishment China Iran North Korea Saudi Arabia and Vietnam Executions in Asia in 2019 Bahrain 3 Bangladesh 2 China 1000 Iran 256 Japan 3 North Korea Unknown Pakistan 20 Saudi Arabia 184 Singapore 4 Syria Unknown Vietnam Unknown Yemen 7 197 41 Key Country Year of last execution Executions 2019 Year abolished Notes nbsp Afghanistan Taliban government 2024 198 n a Main article Capital punishment in AfghanistanHanging shooting stoning 199 Taliban Shariah allows capital punishment for murder if the family of the victim deems death to be the appropriate punishment 200 terrorism related offenses treason espionage adultery rape child rape homosexuality sodomy apostasy unknown whether Muslims who do not pray five times a day are considered apostates blasphemy and giving false witness resulting in the execution of an innocent 201 Although playing music singing and dancing are officially punishable only by corporal punishment there have been occasions where the Taliban executed people for these offenses nevertheless 202 203 Children as young as 10 years old have been executed by the Taliban for helping Afghan allies 204 a pregnant police officer was also executed 205 nbsp Bahrain 2019 206 3 n a Hanging and firing squad are used Death penalty for premeditated murder aggravated murder rape sexual assault or statutory rape kidnapping rape of child arson assault deliberately obstructing funerals or memorial services certain crimes against property transportation or agriculture under aggravating circumstances terrorism plotting to topple the regime collaborating with a foreign hostile country threatening the life of the Emir defiance of military orders in time of war or martial law perjury causing wrongful execution treason drug trafficking and espionage 207 nbsp Bangladesh 2023 208 1 n a Main article Capital punishment in BangladeshHanging Death penalty for murder 209 drug offences 210 kidnapping and trafficking in children for immoral or illegal purposes human trafficking kidnapping a person especially children or women to force him her to engage in prostitution and expose him her to sexual exploitation slavery terrorism rape armed robbery sedition sabotage hijacking planes military offences such as abetting mutiny cowardice or desertion attempted dowry murder abetting or conspiring to commit capital offenses perjury causing wrongful execution espionage 211 treason 212 and war crimes nbsp Bhutan 1974 109 2004 Main article Capital punishment in Bhutan nbsp Brunei None since independence in 1984 1957 before independence n a Main article Capital punishment in BruneiHanging is used Last execution when a protectorate of Britain was in 1957 Death penalty for murder unlawful possession of firearms and explosives possession of heroin or morphine of more than 15 grams cocaine of more than 30 grams cannabis of more than 500 grams syabu or methamphetamine of more than 50 grams or opium of more than 1 2 kg 213 terrorism abetting the suicide of a person unable to give legal consent arson kidnapping abetting a successful mutiny treason and perjury resulting in the conviction of an innocent defendant of a capital offense 214 A new penal code was introduced in April 2014 and introduced the death penalty for male same sex adultery if one of the parties is Muslim by stoning rape adultery apostasy sodomy extramarital sexual relations for Muslims insulting any verse of the Quran and Hadith blasphemy and declaring oneself a prophet or non Muslim 213 215 nbsp Cambodia 1989 1989 Main article Capital punishment in CambodiaAbolished in 1989 by Constitution nbsp China 2024 216 1000 n a Main article Capital punishment in ChinaShooting firing squad lethal injection On 25 February 2011 China s newly revised Criminal Law reduced the number of crimes punishable by death by 13 from 68 to 55 217 failed verification Laws allow capital punishment for severe cases of embezzlement rape particularly of children severe cases of fraud bombing flooding rioting under aggravating circumstances separatism armed rebellion collaborationism political dissidence subversion terrorism spreading poisons hazardous substances people trafficking forcing a person to engage in prostitution especially children often after kidnapping or rape piracy theft drug trafficking corruption arson aggravated assault aircraft hijacking resulting in death producing or selling tainted food or fake medicine resulting in death or serious medical injury participating in an armed prison riot or jailbreak murder aggravated murder burglary kidnapping robbery armed robbery espionage treason poaching military offences like insubordination cowardice sabotaging electricity gas fuel petroleum weapons flammables explosives and military communications installations illegal possession transport smuggling or selling of explosives or firearms illegally manufacturing selling transporting or storing hazardous materials trafficking or smuggling nuclear materials and endangerment of national security Even the higher sections of Chinese society are not exempt from the death penalty as billionaire Liu Han was executed 9 February 2015 218 219 nbsp East Timor None since independence in 2002 2002 220 Main article Capital punishment in East TimorDeath penalty suspended following UN administration in 1999 when still a province of Indonesia Abolished by constitution 2002 220 nbsp Hong Kong 1966 1993 Main article Capital punishment in Hong Kong It was last used in 1966 and abolished in 1993 by the then British colonial government nbsp India 2020 221 n a Main article Capital punishment in IndiaHanging shooting can be used in the military court martial system Death penalty for murder instigating a minor s or a mentally ill s suicide treason terrorism a second conviction for drug trafficking aircraft hijacking aggravated robbery espionage kidnapping being a party to a criminal conspiracy to commit a capital offence attempted murder by those sentenced to life imprisonment if the attempt results in harm to the victim perjury causing wrongful execution 222 aggravated rape gang rape drug smuggling under aggravated circumstances abetting sati mutiny and its abetting causing explosions which can endanger life or property and a few military offences like desertion Military offences may be punished with a firing squad nbsp Indonesia 2016 n a Main article Capital punishment in IndonesiaFiring squad Death penalty for murder high treason espionage some acts of corruption which damage national economy or finances aggravated gang robbery extortion with force or threat of force terrorism some military offences genocide crimes against humanity piracy resulting in death drug trafficking and developing producing obtaining transferring or using of chemical weapons President Joko Widodo issued an informal moratorium on executions in 2018 due to outrage over the 2015 and 2016 executions but there are no plans towards abolition 223 109 224 8 people including overseas nationals executed on 29 April 2015 225 nbsp Iran 2024 256 n a Main article Capital punishment in IranHanging shooting or stoning Iran performs public executions Iran is second only to China in the number of executions it carries out executing hundreds every year 226 227 Current laws allow the death penalty for murder armed robbery drug trafficking kidnapping rape burglary child molestation sodomy homosexuality incestuous relations fornication prohibited sexual relations sexual misconduct prostitution 228 229 rebellion plotting to overthrow the Islamic regime political dissidence sabotage arson espionage treason terrorism joining the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant certain military offenses e g cowardice assisting the enemy apostasy adultery blasphemy counterfeiting smuggling speculating disrupting production recidivist theft extortion immoral attitude recidivist consumption of alcohol producing or preparing food drink cosmetics or sanitary items that lead to death when consumed or used producing and publishing pornography using pornographic materials to solicit sex recidivist false accusation of capital sexual offenses causing execution of an innocent person 230 enmity against God and corruption on earth Secret executions are widespread in the country so that exact numbers for each year are difficult to obtain and different figures are provided by various organizations nbsp Iraq 2022 231 46 n a Main article Capital punishment in IraqHanging Death penalty for murder endangering national security distributing drugs rape incest espionage treason 232 joining the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant robbery armed robbery theft burglary kidnapping attacks on transport convoys arson rioting killing police guards and military officers intentionally causing a flood or attempting to cause a flood damaging or sabotaging public structures war crimes crimes against humanity genocide financing and execution of terrorism 233 Suspended in June 2003 after 2003 invasion reinstated August 2004 234 235 A total of 447 people were executed between then and the end of March 2013 with 129 in 2012 alone 236 Iraqi Kurdistan is abolitionist in practice for all ordinary crimes clarification needed remains retentionist for crimes in exceptional cases since a moratorium has been in place since when Kurdistan president Masoud Barzani issued it in 2007 237 nbsp Israel 1962 1954 civilian N A military Main article Capital punishment in IsraelHanging firing squad Death penalty for crimes against humanity 238 high treason genocide and crimes against the Jewish people during wartime Only two executions since independence in 1948 accused traitor Meir Tobiansky posthumously acquitted and Holocaust architect Adolf Eichmann last execution in 1962 239 Abolished for other crimes 1954 nbsp Japan 2022 240 3 n a Main article Capital punishment in JapanHanging Death penalty for murder treason and crimes against the State Judges usually impose death penalty in case of multiple homicides death sentence for a single murder is not particularly common Between 1946 and 2003 766 people were sentenced to death 608 of whom were executed For 40 months from 1989 to 1993 successive ministers of justice refused to authorise executions which amounted to an informal moratorium No execution in 2020 first time in nine years 241 nbsp Jordan 2021 242 n a Main article Capital punishment in JordanHanging shooting Death penalty for some cases of terrorism murder aggravated murder rape aggravated robbery drug trafficking illegal possession and use of weapons war crimes espionage and treason 243 Executions resumed in 2014 after a hiatus 244 nbsp Kazakhstan 2003 245 2021 246 Main article Capital punishment in Kazakhstan Signed the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2020 247 248 Abolished in 2021 246 nbsp Kuwait 2023 249 n a Main article Capital punishment in KuwaitHanging Death penalty for drug trafficking rape murder aggravated murder kidnapping piracy torture human trafficking terrorism certain military offences national security crimes 250 espionage treason and perjury causing execution of an innocent person 251 nbsp Kyrgyzstan None since independence in 1991 2007 Main article Capital punishment in KyrgyzstanKyrgyz authorities had extended a moratorium on executions each year since 1998 Abolished by constitution in 2007 252 253 nbsp Laos 1989 n a Main article Capital punishment in LaosDeath penalty for murder hostage taking kidnapping committing acts of robbery against the State or against collective assets obstructing an officer in the performance of his public duties and causing his death or causing him physically disabled trafficking in women or children resulting in death lifetime incapacity or infection by HIV AIDS of the victim terrorism drug trafficking disrupting industry trade agriculture or other economic activities with the intent of undermining the national economy drug possession treason and espionage 254 255 nbsp Lebanon 2004 256 n a Main article Capital punishment in LebanonHanging firing squad Death penalty for murder 257 aggravated murder rape child rape terrorism gang robbery or gang assault involving torture arson against certain types of structures or sabotage of communications transportation or industrial facilities causing death aggravated assault involving torture life eligible crimes with recidivism importing nuclear toxic wastes polluting rivers or waterways with harmful substances some military offences e g desertion espionage and treason 258 nbsp Macau 19th century 1976 Main article Capital punishment in Macau It was last used in the 19th century and abolished in 1976 when Portugal abolished the death penalty on all its territories nbsp Malaysia 2017 259 n a Main article Capital punishment in MalaysiaHanging Death penalty for trafficking in dangerous drugs discharging a firearm in the commission of a scheduled offense accomplices in case of discharge of firearm offenses against the Yang di Pertuan Agong s person murder kidnapping burglary robbery terrorism and treason Discretionary for weapons trafficking abetting mutiny perjury causing wrongful execution 260 consorting with a person carrying or having possession of arms or explosives waging or attempting to wage war or abetting the waging of war against the Yang di Pertuan Agong a Ruler or Yang di Pertua Negeri 261 A plan to abolish the death penalty was revoked on 13 March 2019 262 263 In April 2023 mandatory death penalty was abolished A moratorium on executions remains but execution remains legal 39 nbsp Maldives None since independence in 1965 1952 before independence n a Main article Capital punishment in the MaldivesLast execution when a colony of Britain was in 1952 Death penalty for murder 264 terrorism treason adultery and apostasy 60 year moratorium lifted in 2014 265 nbsp Mongolia 2008 2012 Main article Capital punishment in MongoliaPresident Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj instituted a moratorium in 2010 systematically commuting all death sentences On 5 January 2012 a large majority of MPs adopted a bill that aims to abolish the death penalty After two years under the official moratorium the State Great Khural formally signed the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 266 This makes Mongolia abolitionist because under Article 1 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Covenant No one within the jurisdiction of a State Party to the present Protocol shall be executed and Each State Party shall take all necessary measures to abolish the death penalty within its jurisdiction Unlike in countries that retain capital punishment officially but have abolished it in practice this made Mongolia abolitionist in both law and practice However some dead laws that were still symbolically binding referenced capital punishment These non binding laws were removed from statutes by a 2015 Act which took effect on 1 July 2016 making some people claim 2015 or 2016 as the year of abolition 267 268 Mongolia is one of the last Eastern Bloc states not including Eastern Europe to abolish the death penalty Some even claim that it was abolished in 2017 as the death penalty was formally abolished on 1 July 2017 269 nbsp Myanmar 2022 0 n a Main article Capital punishment in MyanmarDeath penalty for murder terrorism participating in a gang robbery if one of the robbers commits murder abetting a successful mutiny assault by a person under a life sentence which causing harm assault with the intention to murder which causing only harm perjury causing wrongful execution 270 high treason 271 and drug trafficking 272 Myanmar carried out no executions between 1988 and 2022 it is now retentionist again 196 273 274 While Myanmar courts do hand down death sentences pro forma in particularly egregious cases most recently in the 2018 case of Myo Zaw Oo who was convicted of the rape and murder of a government worker 275 the sentences in practice are not carried out and are in effect life sentences There have been three major amnesties 1989 1993 1997 in which the government commuted death sentences to life sentences or less and simultaneously reduced life sentences to 10 years However prisoners held for political crimes or crimes against the state are typically excluded from such amnesties 274 Prior to the military coup of 2021 Myanmar was regarded as abolitionist in practice by both Amnesty International 276 and Death Penalty Watch 273 This was jeopardised on 1 February 2021 when the military overthrew the democratic government in a coup On 14 March the military declared martial law in selected regions of two largest cities Yangon and Mandalay and furthermore announced the introduction of a suite of new laws and penalties for insurrection and protest including capital punishment 277 On 9 April 2021 state broadcaster Myawaddy TV announced that 23 protesters had been charged with murder and pursuant to s496 of the criminal code would face execution The date of the execution was not announced and it currently as of 10 April is unknown whether or how the sentences will be carried out At least 17 of the convicted were tried in absentia 278 and it is unclear how many have since been apprehended While this would put Myanmar in the retentionist category the legitimacy of the military government and the recently imposed martial laws are contested by the deposed government known as the NUG who claim sole legislative authority The international community thus far have not decided whether the military junta or NUG is the legitimate government and as such it is not clear whether these executions carried out by the military would be seen by the international community as lawful applications of the death penalty or extrajudicial killings carried out by armed forces Amnesty International now 2022 recognises Myanmar s retentionist status but notes that Following Myanmar military s issuance of Martial Law Order 3 2021 the authority to try civilians was transferred to special or existing military tribunals where individuals are tried through summary proceedings without right to appeal These courts oversee a wide range of offences including those punishable with the death penalty Under international law and standards executions carried out following unfair trials violate the prohibition against arbitrary deprivation of life as well as the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel inhuman or degrading punishment 279 As of 3 June 2022 it was reported that a total of 113 people had been sentenced to death by the junta for their roles in the counter military revolution 280 On the same date the junta confirmed the death warrants of four of the prisoners Hla Myo Aung Ko Aung Thura Zaw the long time democratic activist Ko Jimmy and the rapper and former NLD lawmaker Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw 280 With the confirmation of the death warrant responsibility to determine whether how and when to proceed to executions fell to the Prison Department 280 It was announced by the junta that the executions were carried out on 23 July 2022 281 As the military junta is not recognized by the UN the seats at the UN seats continue to be filled by diplomats of the deposed government and because of this Myanmar for the first time voted in favour of abolition in the 2022 UN resolution on abolishing the death penalty Khit Thit Media reported via their Facebook page that the military handed down a further eleven death sentences on 30 November 282 In addition executions are carried out within the de facto autonomous Wa State Wa state officially the Wa Self Administered Division is nominally a semi autonomous division located in two disconnected regions within Shan State As such it is in principle subject to the laws enforcement and judicial system of Myanmar However in reality the Wa State is controlled entirely by the United Wa State Army UWSA an ethnic armed organisation EAO previously in open rebellion against the Myanmar government and military While in recent years the UWSA has reached a detente with the Myanmar central authority the Myanmar legal system does not apply in practice within Wa State To wit death sentences are handed down and carried out regularly most recently in 2020 283 Wa State imposes the death penalty only for murder 284 and executions are carried out by gunshot to the back of the head An other de facto autonomous region Mong La officially Shan State Special region 4 on the Myanmar Chinese border under the control of the National Democratic Alliance Army NDAA is also reputed to carry out executions much like Wa State 285 nbsp Nepal 1979 1997 Main article Capital punishment in NepalThe death penalty was abolished in 1946 for ordinary crimes clarification needed but was reinstated between 1985 and 1990 for cases of murder and terrorism 286 Completely abolished since 1997 by Constitution nbsp North Korea 2023 287 Unknown n a Main article Capital punishment in North KoreaVarious methods are used including the firing squad hanging or decapitation North Korea performs mainly private but also performs some public executions Current laws allow the death penalty for drug offences plots against national sovereignty circulating harmful information political dissidence terrorism espionage treason against the Motherland or against the people murder murder of a North Korean police guard watching South Korean and foreign websites media or movies listening to South Korean and foreign radio broadcasts kidnapping rape assault burglary insubordination inappropriate words armed robbery violation of Juche customs human trafficking illegal border crossing committing massacres bank robbery grand theft making illegal international calls without a phone card producing and or watching pornography embezzlement currency counterfeiting black market smuggling trafficking damaging or deliberately destroying state property destroying military facilities or technology taking unauthorized photographs unauthorized religious activity returning home from foreign countries after becoming a defector and prostitution 288 289 There have been at least 64 carried out death sentences in 2016 and in 2017 five North Korean minister level officials were executed it is not known whether these officials were executed due to a judicial sentence or a direct order of Kim Jong un 290 No official numbers can be known because of the secrecy surrounding the topic of capital punishment within the state nbsp Oman 2021 291 n a Main article Capital punishment in OmanDeath penalty for murder drug trafficking arson piracy terrorism kidnapping recidivism of aggravated offenses punishable by life imprisonment leading an armed group that engages in spreading disorder such as by sabotage pillage or killing espionage treason and perjury causing wrongful execution 292 293 nbsp Pakistan 2019 294 20 n a Main article Capital punishment in PakistanHanging Death penalty for murder aggravated murder drug smuggling terrorism arms trafficking armed robbery resulting in death certain military offenses e g cowardice assisting the enemy abetting a successful mutiny kidnapping rape gang rape perjury in a capital case leading execution of an innocent person hijacking sabotage of the railway system stripping a woman s clothes a scheduled offence likely to create terror or disrupt sectarian harmony acts to strike terror or create a sense of fear and insecurity resulting in death unlawful assembly treason espionage adultery homosexuality and blasphemy 295 296 Six year moratorium lifted in 2014 after the Peshawar school massacre nbsp Palestine 2022 297 n a Main article Capital punishment in the Gaza StripHamas performs vigilante public executions 298 299 300 Indeed suspected political dissidents such as accused Israel collaborators are frequently executed often in the street or public squares in front of large crowd to serve as warnings for people and sometimes without trial 301 Death penalty for aggravated murder murder terrorism treason espionage military offenses and some offenses resulting in death like vandalism medical violations felony disobedience violence or sedition 302 The State of Palestine has ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 303 nbsp Philippines 2000 304 2006 Main article Capital punishment in the PhilippinesAbolished in 1987 under the present Constitution re introduced in 1993 re abolished on 24 June 2006 under Republic Act No 9346 The House of Representatives voted to reinstate the death penalty for drug crimes in March 2017 305 but it was stalled in the Senate 306 nbsp Qatar 2020 307 n a Main article Capital punishment in QatarExecution by firing squad Death penalty for espionage 308 threat to national security 309 apostasy no recorded executions homosexuality blasphemy 310 murder aggravated murder violent robbery arson torture kidnapping terrorism rape drug trafficking extortion by threat of accusation of a crime of honor perjury causing wrongful execution and treason 311 nbsp Saudi Arabia 2024 312 184 n a Main article Capital punishment in Saudi ArabiaDecapitation firing squad stoning Saudi Arabia performs public executions Current Islamic laws allow the use of capital punishment for many violent and nonviolent offenses which includes aggravated burglary treason espionage as well as homosexuality adultery murder blasphemy apostasy 313 drug trafficking rape armed robbery 314 some military offences witchcraft sexual misconduct and terrorism Method most often used is beheading with a scimitar although the firing squad is sometimes used Bodies may be put on public display nbsp Singapore 2024 1 315 n a Main article Capital punishment in SingaporeHanging Death penalty for terrorism murder treason perjury causing wrongful execution kidnapping certain firearm offenses gang robbery resulting in death genocide arms trafficking piracy attempted murder by a convict under a life sentence drug trafficking in more than 15 grams of heroin or morphine 30 grams of cocaine or 500 grams of cannabis and some military offences 316 317 nbsp South Korea 1997 318 n a Main article Capital punishment in South KoreaHanging and firing squad Death penalty for murder over two victims aggravated murder arson resulting in death piracy terrorism kidnapping resulting in death rape resulting in death rebellion drug trafficking conspiracy with foreign countries robbery homicide recidivist violent robbery and treason 319 There has been an unofficial moratorium on executions since President Kim Dae jung took office in February 1998 320 nbsp Sri Lanka 1976 n a Main article Capital punishment in Sri LankaDeath penalty for murder treason perjury causing an innocent person to be executed rape armed robbery drug trafficking kidnapping with the use of a gun extortion committed with the use of a gun human trafficking offenses committed with the use of a gun attempting murder with the use of a gun causing harm with the use of a gun assault on a public servant with the use of a gun and some military offences 321 Moratorium since 1976 nbsp Syria 2022 322 Unknown n a Main article Capital punishment in SyriaHanging is used for normal executions and for military personnel shooting is used Syria performs public executions Current laws allow the death penalty for treason espionage murder arson resulting in death attempting a death eligible crime recidivism for a felony punishable by forced labor for life terrorism political acts and military offences such as bearing arms against Syria in the ranks of the enemy insubordination rebellion desertion of the armed forces to the enemy and acts of incitement under martial law or in wartime violent robbery subjecting a person to torture or barbaric treatment during the commission of gang robbery rape Certain crimes are considered to deserve an automatic death sentence punishment membership in the Muslim Brotherhood joining the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant drug trafficking political dissidence and falsification of material evidence resulting in a third party being convicted for a drug offense and sentenced to death 323 Extrajudicial killings are commonplace in Syria 324 Persons excused from death row are women with small children pregnant women the mentally ill the intellectually disabled and teenagers who committed the crime under the age of 18 at the time 323 Since the start of the civil war it cannot be known clearly how many people have been put on death row As of 2014 update Syria did have an execution per capita rate of 1 for every 3 000 000 persons 323 nbsp Taiwan 2020 325 n a Main article Capital punishment in TaiwanGun shot to heart at close range with a single gun Lethal injection is also a legal form of execution although there are no known instances of it being used The condemned person lies on a mattress where doctor marks where heart is the executioner shoots at the marked place on the condemned back Condemned are sedated prior to execution If the condemned person decides to be an organ donor then the shot is aimed to the rear of the head at the brain stem 326 Crimes punishable by death are aggravated murder murder other offences resulting in death drug trafficking drug possession treason military offences war crimes crimes against humanity and genocide 326 Those excluded from capital punishment are the elderly pregnant women women with small children the mentally ill and teenagers under the age of 18 at the time of the crime As of 2006 update the mandatory death penalty minimum was taken away By the end of 2012 there were a recorded number of 120 prisoner executions nbsp Tajikistan 2004 n a Main article Capital punishment in TajikistanFiring squad Death penalty for murder with aggravating circumstances rape with aggravating circumstances terrorism biocide genocide 327 Moratorium introduced 30 April 2004 by President Emomali Rahmon which means instead of capital punishment the individual shall receive a life in prison Persons excluded from death row are the elderly women pregnant women intellectually disabled the mentally ill and teenagers who were under the age of 18 at the time of the crime 328 nbsp Thailand 2018 329 n a Main article Capital punishment in ThailandLethal Injection Death penalty for 35 crimes including regicide sedition or rebellion offenses committed against the external security of Thailand murder or attempted murder of a foreign head of state or a member of the royal family bribery high treason espionage terrorism acts terrorism arson rape murder aggravated murder drug trafficking kidnapping robbery resulting in death certain military offences illegal use of firearms or explosives For a full list see here PDF nbsp Turkmenistan 1997 1999 Main article Capital punishment in TurkmenistanAbolished 1999 by Constitution nbsp United Arab Emirates 2017 291 n a Main article Capital punishment in the United Arab EmiratesFiring squad The death penalty is rarely enforced and is a legal form of punishment for murder aggravated murder drug trafficking 330 successfully inciting the suicide of a mentally ill person arson resulting in death kidnapping resulting in death acts of indecent assault resulting in death disposal of nuclear waste in the environment rape of a minor treason apostasy aggravated robbery terrorism joining the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant espionage and perjury causing wrongful execution 331 332 nbsp Uzbekistan 2005 333 2008 Main article Capital punishment in UzbekistanPresident Islam Karimov signed a decree on 1 August 2005 that replaced the death penalty with life imprisonment on 1 January 2008 334 nbsp Vietnam 2023 335 Unknown n a Main article Capital punishment in VietnamLethal injection Death penalty for treason taking action to overthrow the government espionage rebellion banditry terrorism sabotage hijacking destruction of national security projects undermining peace war crimes crimes against humanity manufacturing concealing and trafficking in narcotic substances in a manner contrary to state regulations when the offence is committed in particularly serious circumstances certain military offences manufacturing or trading fake goods such as food or medicines murder rape robbery embezzlement fraud and receiving bribes above a certain amount 336 337 nbsp Yemen 2024 72 7 n a Main article Capital punishment in YemenShooting stoning Yemen performs public executions Current laws allow the death penalty for murder 338 adultery 339 homosexuality 112 340 apostasy 113 no recorded executions blasphemy 341 drug trafficking perjury causing wrongful execution kidnapping rape sexual misconduct violent robbery banditry terrorism destruction of property leading to death prostitution certain military offenses e g cowardice desertion espionage and treason 342 Europe edit Main article Capital punishment in Europe There are 48 United Nations member states in Europe and one observer state Of these 1 2 maintains the death penalty in both law and practice 1 2 permits its use for ordinary crimes clarification needed but has not used it for at least 10 years and is believed to have a policy or established practice of not carrying out executions 47 96 have completely abolished it Abolition of death penalty is a pre condition for entry into the European Union which considers capital punishment a cruel and inhuman practice and not been shown in any way to act as a deterrent to crime 343 Since 1999 Belarus has been the only recognized country in Europe to carry out executions 2009 2015 2020 are the first three years in recorded history when Europe was completely free of executions The countries in Europe that most recently abolished the death penalty are Bosnia and Herzegovina 2019 Latvia 2012 and Albania 2007 Executions in Europe in 2019 Belarus 2 197 344 Key Country Year of last execution Executions 2019 Year abolished Notes nbsp Albania 1995 345 2007 Main article Capital punishment in Albania Hanging prior to abolition Ratification of protocol 13 of the ECHR was on 06 02 2007 in effect on 01 06 2007 346 nbsp Andorra 1943 1990 Main article Capital punishment in AndorraGarrote firing Squad abolished 1990 by Constitution nbsp Armenia None since independence on 21 September 1991 30 August 1991 before independence 1998 Main article Capital punishment in ArmeniaAbolished in 1998 by Constitution The last execution when Armenia was a part of the USSR was on 30 August 1991 nbsp Austria 1950 1968 Main article Capital punishment in AustriaAbolished in peacetime 1950 Completely abolished in 1968 by Constitution nbsp Azerbaijan 1993 1998 Main article Capital punishment in Azerbaijan nbsp Belarus 2022 347 2 N A Main article Capital punishment in Belarus Shooting Belarus is the only country in Europe to use capital punishment Laws allow capital punishment for acts of aggression murder of a representative of a foreign state or international organization with the intention to provoke international tension or war international terrorism genocide crimes against the security of humanity murder with aggravating circumstances terrorism terrorist acts treason that results in loss of life conspiracy to seize power sabotage murder of a police officer murder of a border patrol officer use of weapons of mass destruction and violations of the laws and customs of war 348 nbsp Belgium 1950 1996 Main article Capital punishment in BelgiumLast execution for common law crimes was in 1863 Last execution for war crimes was in 1950 Abolished 1996 by Penal Code since 2005 in Constitution nbsp Bosnia and Herzegovina None since independence in 1991 1977 before independence 2019 for all crimes in Republika Srpska 1998 for all crimes in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and for all peacetime crime in Republika Srpska Main article Capital punishment in Bosnia and Herzegovina The final execution in the present day Bosnia and Herzegovina took place in 1977 349 when then Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was still one of the constituent republics of Yugoslavia It was abolished in 1998 by the Constitution although the death penalty remained present in the Constitution of Republika Srpska where it was endorsed in the Article 11 which said Human life is inviolable Death may only be used for capital crimes 350 The Supreme Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina had abolished the death penalty in the Republika Srpska in 2019 making Bosnia and Herzegovina in practice the last country in Europe except for Belarus and Russia to fully abolish the death penalty on all of the levels of its judiciary 351 nbsp Bulgaria 1989 1998 Main article Capital punishment in BulgariaThe last execution in Bulgaria took place on 4 November 1989 days before the downfall of Todor Zhivkov which heralded the end of the communist regime It was the year s 14th shooting of a convicted prisoner nbsp Croatia None since independence in 1991 1987 before independence 1991 Main article Capital punishment in CroatiaLast capital punishment was performed on 29 January 1987 by the state firing squad while Croatia was still part of SFR Yugoslavia Last executed convict was Dusan Kosic who killed Cedomir Matijevic his wife Slavica and their two daughters Dragana and Snjezana 352 353 Capital punishment was abolished in 1990 according to the provision of the new Croatian constitution enected for the SR Croatia Upon declaring independence in June 1991 newly formed Republic of Croatia declared Constitution from 1990 official and left the jurisdiction of the Yugoslav Federation consequently completely abolishing capital punishment The death penalty is prohibited by the article 21 of the Croatian Constitution 354 nbsp Cyprus 1962 2002 Main article Capital punishment in CyprusCapital punishment for murder abolished in 1983 Completely abolished in 2016 by amendment to the Constitution removing references to capital punishment nbsp Czech Republic None since independence in 1993 1989 before independence 1990 Main article Capital punishment in the Czech RepublicLast execution when part of Czechoslovakia was in June 1989 Abolished after the Velvet Revolution 1990 by the amendment to Constitution of Czechoslovakia Upon independence on 1 January 1993 the Czech Republic became a new abolitionist state nbsp Denmark 1950 1978 Main article Capital punishment in DenmarkLast execution for common law crimes 1892 Last execution for war crimes 1950 Capital punishment was retroactively carried out 1945 50 for crimes related to the German occupation in World War II repealed in 1951 and confirmed in 1993 A similar rule was active 1952 1978 in the civil penalty law for war crimes committed under extreme circumstances nbsp Estonia 1991 1998 Main article Capital punishment in EstoniaThe last execution in Estonia has taken place on 11 September 1991 when Rein Oruste was shot with a bullet to the back of the head for the crime of murder nbsp Finland 1944 1972 Main article Capital punishment in FinlandLast peacetime execution 1825 Last wartime execution 1944 Capital punishment was abolished for civilian crimes in 1949 all existing sentences commuted to life imprisonment and for all crimes 1972 In 1984 the death penalty was explicitly outlawed in the Finnish Constitution nbsp France 1977 1981 Main article Capital punishment in FranceThe death penalty was initially abolished by the Directory in 1795 but re introduced by Napoleon in 1810 It was re abolished in law in 1981 and by Constitution in 2007 nbsp Georgia 1995 345 2006 Main article Capital punishment in Georgia country The death penalty was abolished for most offenses in 1997 but the constitution stated that the Supreme Court had the power to impose the death penalty in exceptionally serious cases of crimes against life On 27 December 2006 President Mikheil Saakashvili signed into a law a new constitutional amendment totally abolishing the death penalty in all circumstances See also Capital punishment in AbkhaziaThe self proclaimed state of Abkhazia which is claimed by Georgia still retains the death penalty for wartime treason but it has been under moratorium since 2007 nbsp Germany 1981 1949 West Germany 1987 East Germany Main article Capital punishment in GermanyAbolished by the Basic Law since the formation of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949 However US military authorities carried out seven executions on German territory in 1951 since they were as an occupation force not subjected to this 355 German Democratic Republic country which ceased to exist in 1990 and all of its territory joined the Federal Republic of Germany abolished the death penalty in 1987 the last execution was held in 1981 nbsp Greece 1972 2004 356 357 Main article Capital punishment in GreeceAbolished completely with the Constitutional amendment of 2001 and then with the approval by Greek Parliament of the ratification of protocol 13 of the ECHR in 12 2004 nbsp Hungary 1988 1990 Main article Capital punishment in HungaryCapital punishment was abolished in 1990 and the last execution was of Erno Vadasz on 14 July 1988 for murder nbsp Iceland None since independence in 1944 1830 before independence 358 1928 359 Main article Capital punishment in IcelandLast execution in 1830 when a colony of Denmark 358 Abolished in 1928 359 reintroduction made unconstitutional in 1995 by unanimous vote of Parliament 360 nbsp Ireland 1954 1990 Main article Capital punishment in IrelandAbolished for murder in 1964 and for remaining offences in 1990 Last death sentences passed in 1985 all since 1954 commuted to imprisonment nbsp Italy 1947 1994 Main article Capital punishment in ItalyOn 30 November 1786 the Grand Duchy of Tuscany then independent now a part of Italy became the first state in the modern era to completely abolish the death penalty However it was later repeatedly reintroduced and re abolished until its definitive ban in 1859 From 1815 to 1859 only two people were executed by the grand ducal authorities For a brief period between 1847 and 1848 upon its reversion to Tuscany the Duchy of Lucca became the only Italian territory in which the abolition was in force The short lived Roman Republic of Feb July 1849 abolished the death penalty before being overthrown by French troops When the Kingdom of Italy was formed in 1861 capital punishment remained in force in all the constituent states except Tuscany until it was abolished nationwide in 1889 although it was maintained under military and colonial law In 1926 Mussolini reintroduced the death penalty into Italian law A total of 26 people 9 civilians and 16 soldiers were executed during the Fascist regime none from political reasons It was re abolished from the penal code in 1944 Art 27 of the Constitution of the Italian Republic 1948 completely abolished it for all common military and civil crimes during peacetime The death penalty was still formally in force in Italy in the military penal code only for high treachery against the Republic or only in war theatre perpetrated crimes though no execution ever took place until it was abolished completely from there as well in 1994 Article 27 of Italian Constitution was changed in 2007 to impede the reintroduction of death penalty in time of war too nbsp Kosovo None since self proclaimed independence in 2008 1987 as part of Yugoslavia 345 2008 citation needed The partially recognised Republic of Kosovo does not have the death penalty 361 362 nbsp Latvia 1996 2012 Main article Capital punishment in LatviaAbolished for civilian offences in 1999 Abolished for all crimes in 2012 363 nbsp Liechtenstein 1785 1989 364 Main article Capital punishment in Liechtenstein nbsp Lithuania 1995 1998 Main article Capital punishment in Lithuania nbsp Luxembourg 1949 1979 Main article Capital punishment in LuxembourgAbolished by the Constitution in 1979 nbsp Malta None since independence in 1964 1943 before independence 2000 Main article Capital punishment in MaltaLast execution when a colony of Britain was in 1943 Capital punishment for murder abolished in 1971 part of the military code until 2000 nbsp Moldova None since independence in 1991 2005 Main article Capital punishment in MoldovaNo executions since independence from USSR in 1991 365 On 23 September 2005 the Moldovan Constitutional Court approved constitutional amendments that abolished the death penalty 366 The self proclaimed state of Transnistria which is claimed by Moldova still retains the death penalty but has observed a moratorium on executions since 1999 nbsp Monaco 1847 1962 Main article Capital punishment in MonacoAbolished by Constitution 1962 nbsp Montenegro None since independence in 2006 1981 before independence 1995 Main article Capital punishment in MontenegroLast execution when a part of Yugoslavia was on 29 January 1981 367 Capital punishment abolished by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1995 When Montenegro declared independence in 2006 it became an abolitionist state nbsp Netherlands 1952 1982 Netherlands 2010 Antilles Main article Capital punishment in the NetherlandsSee also Capital punishment in ArubaLast execution for peacetime offences in 1860 Abolished for peacetime offences in 1870 Abolished in Netherlands by Constitution 1982 Last Netherlands overseas territory to abolish was Antilles in 2010 368 nbsp North Macedonia None since independence in 1991 1988 before independence 1991 Main article Capital punishment in MacedoniaLast execution when it was part of Yugoslavia in 1988 345 Abolished by Constitution in 1991 nbsp Norway 1948 1979 Main article Capital punishment in NorwayAbolished for peacetime offences in 1902 last execution for peacetime offences 1876 Last executions of wartime offenders conducted on 37 men convicted of treason or war crimes in WWII in 1945 48 nbsp Poland 1988 1998 Main article Capital punishment in PolandA criminal law reform including reintroduction of death penalty was proposed in 2004 by Prawo i Sprawiedliwosc but lost its first reading vote in the Sejm by 198 to 194 with 14 abstentions It is said that this was only populism since Poland had joined the European Union so there was no chance 109 nbsp Portugal 1917 345 1867 civil crimes 1976 all crimes Main article Capital punishment in PortugalCapital Punishment was abolished for political crimes in 1852 civil crimes in 1867 and war crimes in 1911 369 In 1916 capital punishment was reinstated only for military offenses that occurred in a war against a foreign country and in the theater of war 370 Capital punishment was completely abolished again in 1976 371 nbsp Romania 1989 1990 372 Main article Capital punishment in RomaniaThe last people to be convicted and executed in Romania were the dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife Elena Ceaușescu during the Romanian Revolution of 1989 Their accusations ranged from crimes against humanity to high treason Abolished in 1990 and banned by Constitution in 1991 nbsp Russia 1999 Chechnya 1996 rest of Russia N A Main article Capital punishment in RussiaShooting There have been four brief periods when Russia has completely abolished the death penalty in the 18th century Russian empress Elizabeth abolished it but it was restored by the next emperor Peter III of Russia then on 12 March 1917 to 12 July 1917 following the overthrow of the Tsar 27 October 1917 to 16 June 1918 following the seizure of power by the Bolsheviks and 1947 1950 after the end of the Second World War Joseph Stalin abolished it in 1947 but he had restored it in 1950 and for this short period the strictest punishment in USSR was penal servitude in GULAG for 25 years Currently the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation envisages the death penalty for five crimes murder with aggravating circumstances assassination attempt against a state or public figure attempt on the life of a person administering justice or preliminary investigations attempt on the life of a law enforcement officer and genocide 373 On 16 April 1997 Russia signed the Sixth Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights but has yet to ratify it There has been a moratorium on executions since 1996 no executions have been in the Russian Federation since August 1996 In November 2009 the Constitutional Court extended the moratorium indefinitely pending ratification of the Sixth Protocol The death penalty is still active by law 10 nbsp San Marino 1468 345 or 1667 374 1848 Civil 1865 Military Main article Capital punishment in San MarinoAbolished for civilian crimes in 1848 Abolished for all crimes in 1865 nbsp Serbia None since independence in 2006 1992 before independence 1995 Main article Capital punishment in SerbiaLast execution when a part of Yugoslavia was in 1992 Capital punishment abolished by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1995 When Serbia became independent in 2006 it became an abolitionist state nbsp Slovakia None since independence in 1993 1989 before independence 1990 Main article Capital punishment in SlovakiaLast execution when a part of Czechoslovakia was in 1989 Abolished 1990 by Constitution when still a constituent part of Czechoslovakia Upon independence on 1 January 1993 Slovakia became a new abolitionist state nbsp Slovenia None since independence in 1991 1959 before independence 1991 Main article Capital punishment in SloveniaLast execution when a part of Yugoslavia was in 1959 Abolished in Slovenian Yugoslav Republic 1989 by Constitution Upon declaration of independence in 1991 Slovenia removed itself from the jurisdiction of the Federal Yugoslav capital punishment statutes effectively achieving complete abolition nbsp Spain 1975 1978 civilian 1995 military Main article Capital punishment in SpainAbolished in 1978 by Constitution except for wartime offences Abolished from the military penal code in 1995 375 nbsp Sweden 1910 1973 Main article Capital punishment in SwedenPeacetime offences 1921 Wartime offences 1973 Constitutionally prohibited since 1975 nbsp Switzerland 1944 1992 Main article Capital punishment in SwitzerlandCapital punishment was abolished in 1874 but reinstated in 1879 It was practiced by a few cantons nine executions up to 1940 Abolished by popular vote in 1938 except for wartime military crimes for which it was abolished in 1992 Banned by the 1999 constitution nbsp Turkey 1984 2004 Main article Capital punishment in TurkeyAbolished in 2004 by Constitution On 29 10 2016 Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his government would ask parliament to consider reintroducing capital punishment due to the 2016 Turkish coup d etat attempt 376 while suggesting the possibility of reintroducing it through a referendum 377 nbsp Ukraine 1997 378 2000 379 380 Main article Capital punishment in UkraineAbolished February 2000 after the Constitutional Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in December 1999 379 380 New criminal code passed in April 2000 379 380 381 The unrecognized Donetsk People s Republic reintroduced the death penalty for treason in 2014 382 nbsp United Kingdom 1977 Bermuda 1964 UK 1998 Main article Capital punishment in the United KingdomLast execution in the UK was in 1964 The last execution on British Overseas Territory occurred in Bermuda in 1977 Abolished for murder in 1969 in Great Britain and 1973 in Northern Ireland Abolished for all remaining offences high treason piracy with violence and offences under military jurisdiction in UK in 1998 European Convention 13th Protocol ratified in 2003 confirming total abolition See also Capital punishment in the British Indian Ocean Territory Capital punishment in Gibraltar Capital punishment in Guernsey Capital punishment in the Isle of Man and Capital punishment in Jersey The last British Territory or Crown Dependency to completely abolish capital punishment was Jersey on 2006 see Capital punishment in Jersey nbsp Vatican City 1870 383 1969 2001 Main article Capital punishment in Vatican CityLast execution on 9 July 1870 Mazzatello Never used within the Vatican City itself and only carried out in the Papal States by local authorities where the sentences were handed out From 1870 to 1929 the Vatican had no sovereign territories and no death sentences were applied Officially re introduced in the Law Codes in 1927 only for papal murder Abolished in 1969 Oceania edit There are 14 member states of the United Nations in Oceania Of these 1 7 permits its use for ordinary crimes clarification needed but has not used it for at least 10 years and is believed to have a policy or established practice of not carrying out executions 13 93 have completely abolished it Only Tonga has not formally abolished capital punishment despite not using the practice since 1982 The countries in Oceania that most recently abolished the death penalty are Papua New Guinea 2022 Nauru 2016 and Fiji 2015 Key Country Year of last execution Executions 2019 Year abolished Notes nbsp Australia 1967 384 1985 Main article Capital punishment in AustraliaCapital punishment was abolished in Queensland in 1922 Tasmania in 1968 the Northern Territory the Australian Capital Territory and the Commonwealth in 1973 Victoria in 1975 South Australia in 1976 Western Australia in 1984 and New South Wales in 1985 On 11 March 2010 Federal Parliament passed laws that prevent the death penalty from being reintroduced by any state or territory in Australia 385 nbsp Fiji None since independence in 1970 1964 before independence 2015 386 Main article Capital punishment in FijiLast execution when a colony of Britain was in 1964 The death penalty for crimes under the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Act was abolished in Feb 2015 Abolished for other crimes 1979 nbsp Kiribati None since independence in 1979 1979 nbsp Marshall Islands None since independence in 1986 1986 Abolished in 1986 by Constitution nbsp Micronesia None since independence in 1986 1986 Abolished in 1986 by Constitution nbsp Nauru None since independence in 1968 2016 Main article Capital punishment in NauruDeath penalty abolished May 2016 387 Despite having abolished capital punishment Nauru voted against the UN Moratorium on the Death Penalty in 2018 nbsp New Zealand 1957 1989 Main article Capital punishment in New ZealandAbolished in New Zealand in 1941 for most crimes reinstated in 1950 abolished again in 1961 for most crimes and formally abolished for treason in 1989 See also Capital punishment in the Cook IslandsIn 2007 the Cook Islands became the last of New Zealand s overseas territories to abolish capital punishment nbsp Palau None since independence in 1994 1994 nbsp Papua New Guinea None since independence in 1975 1957 before independence 388 2022 Main article Capital punishment in Papua New GuineaLast execution when under Australian administration in November 1957 The death penalty was abolished in 1970 five years before independence It was reinstated in 1991 but never applied It was abolished again in 2022 389 nbsp Samoa None since independence in 1962 1952 before independence 390 2004 391 Main article Capital punishment in SamoaLast execution under New Zealand colonial rule in April 1952 Since independence in 1962 all death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment The death penalty was formally abolished in 2004 nbsp Solomon Islands None since independence in 1978 1978 nbsp Tonga 1982 56 N A Main article Capital punishment in TongaHanging Death penalty for treason murder nbsp Tuvalu None since independence in 1978 1978 nbsp Vanuatu None since independence in 1980 1980Abolition chronology edit nbsp Abolition over time Abolitionist states Retentionist states The table below lists in chronological order the 109 UN member or observer states that have completely abolished the death penalty In the century after the abolition of capital punishment by Venezuela in 1863 only 11 more countries followed not counting temporary abolitions that were later reversed From the 1960s onwards abolition accelerated 4 countries abolished capital punishment in the 1960s a record up to that time for any decade 11 in the 1970s and 10 in the 1980s After the Cold War many more countries followed 36 countries abolished capital punishment in the 1990s with 9 in 1990 alone 23 in the 2000s 11 in the 2010s and 7 so far in the 2020s Since 1985 there have been only 6 years when no country has abolished the death penalty 2001 2003 2011 2013 2018 and 2023 Note When a country has abolished re instated and abolished again e g Philippines Switzerland Portugal Italy only the later abolition date is included Countries which have abolished and since reinstated e g Liberia Malawi are excluded Dependent territories are considered being under the jurisdiction of their parent country which leads to unexpectedly late abolition dates for the UK New Zealand and the Netherlands where Jersey UK the Cook Is NZ and the Netherlands Antilles were the last territories of those states to abolish capital punishment and all were later than the abolitions on the respective mainlands References are in the continental tables above and not repeated here Year abolished Country Countries per year Running total 1863 nbsp Venezuela 1 1 1865 nbsp San Marino 1 2 1877 nbsp Costa Rica 1 3 1903 nbsp Panama 1 4 1906 nbsp Ecuador 1 5 1907 nbsp Uruguay 1 6 1910 nbsp Colombia 1 7 1928 nbsp Iceland 1 8 1949 nbsp Germany 1 9 1956 nbsp Honduras 1 10 1962 nbsp Monaco 1 11 1966 nbsp Dominican Republic 1 12 1968 nbsp Austria 1 13 1969 nbsp Vatican City 1 14 1972 nbsp Finland 1 15 1973 nbsp Sweden 1 16 1976 nbsp Portugal 1 17 1978 nbsp Denmark nbsp Solomon Islands nbsp Tuvalu 3 20 1979 nbsp Kiribati nbsp Luxembourg nbsp Nicaragua nbsp Norway 4 24 1980 nbsp Vanuatu 1 25 1981 nbsp Cape Verde nbsp France 2 27 1982 nbsp Netherlands 1 28 1985 nbsp Australia 1 29 1986 nbsp Marshall Islands nbsp Micronesia 2 31 1988 nbsp Haiti 1 32 1989 nbsp Cambodia nbsp Liechtenstein nbsp New Zealand 3 35 1990 nbsp Andorra nbsp Czech Republic nbsp Slovakia as Czechoslovakia nbsp Hungary nbsp Ireland nbsp Mozambique nbsp Namibia nbsp Romania nbsp Sao Tome and Principe 9 44 1991 nbsp Croatia nbsp North Macedonia nbsp Slovenia 3 47 1992 nbsp Angola nbsp Paraguay nbsp Switzerland 3 50 1993 nbsp Guinea Bissau nbsp Seychelles 2 52 1994 nbsp Italy nbsp Palau 2 54 1995 nbsp Djibouti nbsp Mauritius nbsp Montenegro nbsp Serbia as Yugoslavia nbsp South Africa nbsp Spain 6 60 1996 nbsp Belgium 1 61 1997 nbsp Nepal 1 62 1998 nbsp Armenia nbsp Azerbaijan nbsp Bulgaria nbsp Estonia nbsp Lithuania nbsp Poland 6 68 1999 nbsp Canada nbsp Turkmenistan 2 70 2000 nbsp Ivory Coast nbsp Malta nbsp Ukraine 3 73 2002 nbsp Cyprus nbsp East Timor nbsp United Kingdom 3 76 2004 nbsp Bhutan nbsp Greece nbsp Samoa nbsp Senegal nbsp Turkey 5 81 2005 nbsp Mexico nbsp Moldova 2 83 2006 nbsp Georgia nbsp Philippines 2 85 2007 nbsp Albania nbsp Kyrgyzstan nbsp Rwanda 3 88 2008 nbsp Uzbekistan 1 89 2009 nbsp Argentina nbsp Bolivia nbsp Burundi nbsp Togo 4 93 2010 nbsp Gabon 1 94 2012 nbsp Latvia nbsp Mongolia 2 96 2014 span, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library, article, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games. |