Capital punishment by country

Capital punishment in the world 2024

Capital punishment by country

Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is a government-sanctioned practice whereby a person is put to death by the state as a punishment for a crime. The crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offenses. The methods of execution and the crimes that are punishable by death vary significantly between countries.

Abolition and Retention

Countries around the world can be broadly categorized into four groups based on their stance on capital punishment:

• **Abolitionist for all crimes**: These countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes. Examples include Germany, France, and Australia.
• **Abolitionist for ordinary crimes only**: These countries have abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes but retain it for exceptional circumstances such as crimes under military law or crimes committed during wartime. Examples include Brazil and Israel.
• **Abolitionist in practice**: These countries retain the death penalty in law but have not executed anyone for at least ten years and are believed to have a policy or established practice of not carrying out executions. Examples include Russia and Sri Lanka.
• **Retentionist**: These countries retain the death penalty for ordinary crimes. Examples include China, Iran, and the United States.

Methods of Execution

The methods of execution used around the world include:

• **Lethal injection**: Commonly used in the United States and China.
• **Hanging**: Used in countries such as Japan, India, and Singapore.
• **Firing squad**: Used in countries such as Indonesia and North Korea.
• **Beheading**: Used in Saudi Arabia.
• **Electrocution**: Historically used in the United States.
• **Gas chamber**: Historically used in the United States.

Regional Overview

Africa

In Africa, the use of capital punishment varies widely. Some countries, such as South Africa, have abolished it, while others, such as Nigeria and Egypt, continue to use it.

Asia

Asia has a high number of retentionist countries. China is known for carrying out the most executions annually. Other countries like Japan, India, and Saudi Arabia also actively use the death penalty.

Europe

Most European countries have abolished capital punishment. The European Union prohibits its member states from using the death penalty. Belarus is the only European country that still carries out executions.

Americas

In the Americas, the use of the death penalty is mixed. Canada and most Latin American countries have abolished it. The United States is the most notable retentionist country in the region, with the death penalty still in use in several states.

Oceania

In Oceania, most countries have abolished the death penalty. Australia and New Zealand are abolitionist, while some Pacific island nations retain it in law but have not carried out executions in many years.

Controversies and Debates

The use of capital punishment is a subject of intense debate. Proponents argue that it serves as a deterrent to crime and provides justice for victims. Opponents argue that it is inhumane, prone to judicial errors, and does not effectively deter crime.

International Treaties and Organizations

Several international treaties and organizations advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. The United Nations has called for a global moratorium on executions, with the aim of eventual abolition. The European Convention on Human Rights prohibits the use of the death penalty among its signatories.

See also

• Capital punishment
• List of methods of capital punishment
• Human rights
• Criminal justice
• International law