MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS NOW!
In October 2008 the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly will debate the death penalty and the implementation of the 2007 UNGA resolution calling for a moratorium on executions. Learn more about the UNGA resolution on the death penalty.
The death penalty is the ultimate denial of human rights. It is the premeditated and cold-blooded killing of a human being by the state. This cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment is done in the name of justice.
It violates the right to life as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the offender, or the method used by the state to kill the prisoner.
On 18 December 2007 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a ground breaking resolution calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.
The resolution was adopted by an overwhelming majority of 104 UN member states in favour, 54 countries against and 29 abstentions.
To see how all countries voted on this resolution, please click here: http://www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty/international-law/moratorium/voting-records
PRESS RELEASE:
1. Asia: Time to move towards abolition of the death penalty