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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. Since the mid-19th century many countries have abolished or discontinued the practice. In 2022, the 5 countries that executed the most people were, in descending order, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United States.
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Guatemala, and is carried out by lethal injection and, to a lesser extent, the firing squad. The death penalty today remains only in Guatemala's military codes of justice, and was abolished for civilian offences in October 2017.
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Grenada. Despite its legality, there have been no executions since 1978. Grenada is considered "abolitionist in practice", and is currently the only country in the Americas in this category. There is currently one person on death row in Grenada, as of August 30, 2021. During its United Nations Universal Periodic Review on January 27, 2020, Grenada informed the UN that it was a de facto abolitionist state with a de facto moratorium in effect since 1978, and that it would not carry out any executions. Abolishing capital punishment in law was part of one of the amendments during the failed 2016 Grenadian constitutional referendum. Grenada voted against the United Nations moratorium on the death penalty in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and most recently, in 2020. Grenada is not a signatory to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Capital punishment in Myanmar is a legal penalty. Myanmar is classified as a "retentionist" state. Before 25 July 2022, Myanmar was considered "abolitionist in practice," meaning a country has not executed anyone in the past ten years or more and is believed to have an established practice or policy against carrying out executions. Between 1988 and 2022, no legal executions were carried out in the country. In July 2022, four democratic activists, including Zayar Thaw and Kyaw Min Yu, were executed.
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Eritrea. However, Eritrea is considered "abolitionist in practice," as the nation's most recent official execution took place in 1989. No executions have taken place in Eritrea since they declared independence from Ethiopia and gained international recognition in 1993.
Capital punishment has been abolished in Paraguay. It was abolished in the year 1992 by the constitution. The last execution was carried out in Paraguay in 1928.
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Trinidad and Tobago. The method of execution is hanging. Its last execution was of Anthony Briggs for murder on 28 July 1999. However, the country is still considered "retentionist' due to lack of "an established practice or policy against carrying out executions." Trinidad and Tobago is the only country in the Americas that retains the mandatory death penalty for murder.
Capital punishment was a legal penalty in Zambia until 2022. Despite its former legality, the country had not carried out any execution since 1997. Zambia was considered "Abolitionist in Practice".
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Ghana only for high treason. Ghana last executed a criminal in 1993. It is considered "abolitionist in practice." Capital punishment was a mandatory sentence for certain ordinary criminal offenses until 2023.
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Mauritania. However, the country is considered "Abolitionist in Practice" due to having a moratorium on executions since 1987. Mauritania last executed in 1987.
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Niger. Despite its legality, the last known execution in the country was carried out in 1976 for treason. Niger is classified as "Abolitionist in Practice." There were no new death sentences recorded in 2021. There were 4 people on death row in Niger at the end of 2021.
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland. Despite its legality, no executions have been carried out since 1983. Therefore, Eswatini is classified as "abolitionist in practice."
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Tanzania. Tanzania has two capital offences: treason and murder. The death penalty is the mandatory sentence for murder.
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Tunisia. Despite its legality, no executions have been carried out since 1990. Tunisia is classified as "Abolitionist in Practice."
Capital punishment was abolished in Mauritius in 1995, following the adoption of the Abolition of Death Penalty Act 1995. The last execution was carried out in Mauritius in 1987.
Capital punishment was abolished in Mozambique in 1990. The last execution took place in the country in 1986.
Capital punishment was abolished in Namibia in 1990. The last execution was carried out in 1988, under the rule of South Africa.
Capital punishment was abolished in Senegal in 2004. The country carried out its last execution in 1967.
Capital punishment was abolished in Togo in 2009. The country carried out its last execution in 1978. Prior to the death penalty's de jure abolition, Togo was classified as "Abolitionist in Practice."
Capital punishment was abolished in Zimbabwe in 2024. Despite death penalty remaining on the country's statute books as a legal punishment until 2024, Zimbabwe did not carry out any executions after 2005. Zimbabwe abstained during the 2020 United Nations moratorium on the death penalty resolution.
References
- ↑ "Abolitionist and retentionist countries (as of July 2018)". Amnesty International. 23 October 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
- ↑ "Death sentences and executions 2021". Amnesty International. 24 May 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
- ↑ "UN Resolution For A Universal Moratorium On The Use Of The Death Penalty" (PDF). Ensemble contre la peine de mort. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 24, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
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