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PGA’s vision is to contribute to the creation of a Rules-Based International Order for a more equitable, safe, sustainable and democratic world.

capital

70 articles:

Democratic Republic of the Congo: High Risk of Resumption of the Death Penalty

It is with profound concern that PGA became aware this morning of the communication of a circular from the Ministry of Justice of the Democratic Republic of the Congo formalizing the decision to lift the moratorium on the death penalty in the country.

Ghana abolishes the death penalty for ordinary crimes

The adoption of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022, replacing capital punishment with life imprisonment, marks a significant milestone as it aligns Ghana’s criminal system with international best practice

Quarterly Update of the Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty – April-June 2023

In the past three months, positive strides have been made in Malaysia towards limiting the scope of capital punishment, as its Parliament removed the mandatory death penalty for 12 offenses.

Quarterly Update of the Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty – January-March 2023

The first quarter of the year was marked by the opening of the 52nd regular session of the Human Rights Council, and the organization of the Biennial high-level panel discussion on the death penalty.

December 2022 Quarterly Update of the Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

PGA welcomes the unprecedented support towards the adoption of the UN resolution A/RES/77/222, for a universal moratorium on the use of the death penalty, which took place on 15 December.

September 2022 Quarterly Update of the Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

The 51st session of the Human Rights Council concluded in Geneva (12 September – 7 October), during which the Secretary General presented his report (A/HRC/51/7) to update previous reports on the question of the death penalty, including the quinquennial report of the Secretary-General.

Philippines and the Death Penalty

The Philippines was the first Asian country to abolish the death penalty under the 1987 Constitution, but it was re-imposed during the administration of President Fidel Ramos to address the rising crime rate in 1993, only to be abolished again in 2006.

Ghana and the Death Penalty

Ghana is abolitionist de facto, having carried out its last execution in 1993. The domestic criminal law does retain the capital punishment, which is mandatory for some crimes.

UK reaffirms commitment to abolish death penalty globally in Question Time triggered by Mr. Mark Pritchard, MP

Chair of PGA’s UK National Group, Mr. Mark Pritchard MP, asks the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will hold discussions with her counterparts in Commonwealth countries on ending the death penalty.

Armenia Ratifies International Treaty Aiming at the Abolition of the Death Penalty

PGA welcomes the ratification on 19 March 2021 by the Government of Armenia of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), aiming at the abolition of the death penalty..

Virginia Abolishes the Death Penalty

Virginia (USA) Governor Ralph Northam signed into law a bill that ends capital punishment in the State. Virginia has thus become the first Southern US State to abolish the death penalty.

Parliamentarians of the National Assembly of Ecuador meet to discuss the Death Penalty in the Americas

To commemorate the 18th International Day Against the Death Penalty, the PGA National Group, together with the Parliamentary Group on Human Rights of the National Assembly of Ecuador, organized a virtual seminar.

September 2020 Quarterly Update of the Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

To mark the 18th World Day Against the Death Penalty – which falls on 10 October – PGA will be organising a webinar to discuss the right to effective legal representation in capital cases and launch a Parliamentary Factsheet.

May 2020 Quarterly Update of the Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

On 28 April 2020, the National Assembly of Chad voted to amend its 2015 counter-terrorism bill, thus abolishing capital punishment for all existing capital crimes in the country.

December 2019 Quarterly Update of the Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

Commemorated since 2003, the World Day Against the Death Penalty is marked on 10 October. This year, PGA highlighted its members’ efforts to promote abolition of the death penalty and a fairer criminal justice system.

Malaysia and the Death Penalty

Malaysia announced a moratorium on executions in 2018. It did not carry out any executions in 2018 and more than 190 individuals received a death sentence.

PGA Commemorates World Day Against the Death Penalty

Commemorated since 2003, the World Day Against the Death Penalty (WDADP) on 10 October raises awareness of the conditions and the circumstances which affect prisoners with death sentences and offers an opportunity to advocate for its abolition worldwide.

Hon. Kasthuri Patto: “There Is No Place in A New Malaysia for the Death Penalty”

Malaysia’s move to abolish the mandatory death penalty is a valiant display of courage to uphold restorative justice and to return discretionary judiciary powers back to the courts as a breakthrough to fight crime and punish criminals instead of...

US Federal Government’s Decision to Resume Executions is an Affront to Human Rights

Each year, more States opt to declare a moratorium on the use of capital punishment or abolish it entirely; yet, a few outliers have in the recent years been vocal about resuming executions or reintroducing the death penalty in their domestic legal system

June 2019 Quarterly Update of the Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

Palestine accedes to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty (ICCPR-OP2)

United States and the Death Penalty

The United States is a retentionist country. However, 21 states and the District of Columbia have abolished the death penalty, including the state of Washington in 2018.

Sri Lanka and the Death Penalty

Sri Lanka is a de facto abolitionist country, having carried out the last execution in 1976. The country sentenced at least 17 individuals to death but carried out no executions in 2018.

Kenya and the Death Penalty

Kenya is a de facto abolitionist country, having not carried out an execution since 1987. The country sentenced at least 12 individuals to death but carried out no executions in 2018.

Palestine and the Death Penalty

The State of Palestine is de facto abolitionist, having carried out no execution since 2002. In the Gaza strip however, capital punishment is still in use.

March 2019 Quarterly Update of the Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

From 26 February to 1 March 2019, Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) attended the 7th World Congress against the Death Penalty, organised by its partner organisation Ensemble contre la peine de mort (ECPM, Together Against the Death Penalty).

PGA takes part in the 7th World Congress against the Death Penalty

From 26 February to 1 March 2019, Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) attended the 7th World Congress against the Death Penalty, organised by its partner organisation Ensemble contre la peine de mort (ECPM, Together Against the Death Penalty).

Zimbabwe and the Death Penalty

Zimbabwe is de facto abolitionist: although it retains capital punishment in its criminal law, the country has not carried out any execution since 2005.

Papua New Guinea and the Death Penalty

Papua New Guinea is abolitionist in practice since 1950: although it retains the death penalty in law, no execution has taken place since 1954.

Nepal and the Death Penalty

Nepal’s Constitution abolished the capital penalty in 1990 and criminal law was amended to abolish it for all crimes in 1997.

Ecuador and the Death Penalty

Ecuador is abolitionist since 1906. Ecuador ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1969 as well as the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

December 2018 Quarterly Update of the Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

Malaysia’s Minister of Law announces bill abolishing the death penalty for 33 offences.

Standing Against the Death Penalty in Asia: Parliamentarians Meet in Kuala Lumpur to Share and Strategise

Participants discussed and adopted an Action Plan, calling on the parliamentarians of the region to mobilise their efforts against capital punishment.

Movement to abolish death penalty in Malaysia will receive opposition support: PGA Board Member Kula Segaran

Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) Malaysia will work towards the abolition of the death penalty with support from the opposition.

PGA Members celebrate World Day against the Death Penalty, as Malaysian Government announces abolition bill

On 10 October, which marks World Day against the Death Penalty, PGA wishes to celebrate the efforts of its members throughout the world to stand against capital punishment.

Ecuadorian MP Soledad Buendía speaks out against the reinstatement of the death penalty in Latin America

Latin America is the second region in the world with the largest number of states who have abolished the death penalty for all types of crimes.

September 2018 Quarterly Update of the Campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty

PGA’s Abolition of the Death Penalty (ADP) team brings you its first quarterly update to keep you informed of the most relevant developments regarding capital punishment worldwide and of PGA’s work on the issue.

United Kingdom and the Death Penalty

The United Kingdom is an abolitionist country, having carried out its last executions in 1964.

Uganda and the Death Penalty

Uganda is de facto abolitionist, as the last execution took place in 2005. However, in 2017, more than 250 people remained on death row.

Togo and the Death Penalty

Togo is an abolitionist country since 2009, when the capital punishment was removed from the country’s Criminal Code.

Tanzania and the Death Penalty

Tanzania is de facto abolitionist, having carried out its last execution in 1994. However, at least 4 individuals were still sentenced to death in 2018 in the country, while more than 500 people remained on death row.

Switzerland and the Death Penalty

The Swiss Constitution forbids the use of the death penalty. Capital punishment was abolished in civil courts in 1942, and in military courts in 1992.

Suriname and the Death Penalty

Since March 2015, Suriname is an abolitionist country. No executions had not been carried out in Suriname since 1927.

South Korea and the Death Penalty

South Korea is a de facto abolitionist state, having carried out its last execution in 1997.

Sierra Leone and the Death Penalty

Sierra Leone is a de facto abolitionist country, having carried out its last execution in 1998.

Pakistan and the Death Penalty

Pakistan remains a retentionist country, after it lifted its moratorium on executions in December 2014. Since then, the country has become one of the biggest executioners, with at least 14 executions carried out...

Norway and the Death Penalty

The capital punishment was fully abolished in Norway in 1979 and its abolitionist status was enshrined in the Constitution in 2014.

Niger and the Death Penalty

Niger is formally retentionist but has applied a moratorium since 1976. In 2018, no death sentence was handed out and it is unknown how many people remain on death row.

Morocco and the Death Penalty

Morocco is a de facto abolitionist country, having not carried out any execution since 1993. However, the country did give out death sentences against at least 10 individuals in 2018 and more than 93 were still on death row.

Mali and the Death Penalty

Mali is formally retentionist but has applied a moratorium since 1980, although executions are reported to have occurred in territories controlled by armed groups during the 2012 crisis.

Maldives and the Death Penalty

The Maldives is formally retentionist but has applied a moratorium since 1954. In 2018, there were no death sentences imposed, but 15 people remained on death row.

Australia and the Death Penalty

Since the last execution took place in 1967, Australia has officially abolished the death penalty nationwide. By ratifying the ICCPR in 1978, Australia has committed itself to opposing the death penalty.

Lebanon and the Death Penalty

Lebanon is retentionist but applies since 2004 a moratorium. In 2018, at least 5 people received a death sentence.

Jordan and the Death Penalty

Jordan is a retentionist country. The country sentenced at least 16 individuals to death but carried out no executions in 2018.

Iraq and the Death Penalty

Iraq is a retentionist country. In 2018, the number of executions in Iraq decreased by more than 50%, with more than 52 executions carried out and more than 271 death sentences handed out.

Indonesia and the Death Penalty

Ending an unofficial five-year moratorium that began in 2008, Indonesia resumed executions in 2013. At least 47 individuals were sentenced to death in 2017 but no execution was carried out.

India and the Death Penalty

India remains a retentionist country. At least 162 people were sentenced to death in India in 2018, and 371 were reported to be on death row. 2018 was also the third year in a row that the country did not carry out any execution.

Guinea and the Death Penalty

Guinea has become abolitionist after the adoption on 4 July 2016 by the Parliament of a law reforming the Criminal Code and removing the death penalty from sentences available to judges.

Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Death Penalty

The DRC is de facto an abolitionist state, having carried out a death sentence for the last time in 2003. However, at least 22 individuals still received death sentences in the country in 2017 and the number of individuals on death row is unknown.

Cote d’Ivoire and the Death Penalty

Death Penalty has been successfully abolished in Cote d’Ivoire thanks to PGA’s National Group’s supportive action in favor of the two bills adopted by the Government on 15 February 2015, amending the Criminal and the Criminal Procedure Code to repeal...

Chad and the Death Penalty

In 2015, Chad resumed executions, after a 12 years period without any death sentences being carried out. Indeed, despite the government having announced in 2014 that it would abolish the death penalty, the Chadian Parliament adopted on 30 July 2015 a new

Central African Republic and the Death Penalty

The Central African Republic is formally retentionist but has applied a moratorium since 1981. In 2017, no death sentence was handed out.

Cameroon and the Death Penalty

Cameroon is an abolitionist de facto state, with the last execution taking place in 1997. However, the Criminal Code adopted in 2016 still upholds the death penalty, especially for terrorism-related offences.

Burkina Faso and the Death Penalty

Burkina Faso is abolitionist since 31 May 2018, when the National Assembly adopted a new Criminal Code abolishing the death penalty for all ordinary crimes.

Parliamentary Roundtable and Consultations on the Abolition of the Death Penalty in Malaysia and in Asia

On 25 July 2017, parliamentarians, representatives from civil society and the diplomatic community met in the Parliament of Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur, to discuss the abolition of the death penalty in the region.

PGA Members Attended a Workshop on the Abolition of the Death Penalty in Africa in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

PGA members attended a workshop on the abollition of the death penalty, held on 19 and 20 December 2016 in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

Launch of the Parliamentary Factsheet on Death Penalty & Terrorism-related Offences

On 20 October 2016, PGA in consultation with the World Coalition against the Death Penalty (WCADP), launched a Parliamentary Factsheet on the Death Penalty and Terrorism-Related Offences

PGA publishes Parliamentary Factsheet highlighting why the Death Penalty for Terrorism-related Offences is Ineffective, Counter-productive and Violates Human Rights

Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), in consultation with the World Coalition against the Death Penalty (WCADP), is launching today a Parliamentary Factsheet on the Death Penalty and Terrorism-Related Offences.

PGA Parliamentary Roundtable and Consultations on the Abolition of the Mandatory Death Penalty in Malaysia

Through the Parliamentary Platform, PGA has launched targeted campaigns in selected countries, including Malaysia, to raise awareness among Parliamentarians, strengthen political will and provide technical assistance for initiatives on this issue.