Capital punishment in Moldova

Location Moldova Europe

Capital punishment in Moldova refers to the legal process in which a person is sentenced to death by the state as a punishment for a crime. Moldova, a country in Eastern Europe, has undergone significant changes in its legal stance on capital punishment over the years.

History

Capital punishment was a common practice in Moldova during the Soviet era. After gaining independence in 1991, Moldova retained the death penalty for certain crimes. However, the country began to move towards abolition in the late 1990s.

Abolition

In 1995, Moldova declared a moratorium on executions, effectively halting the practice of capital punishment. The final step towards abolition came in 2006 when Moldova officially abolished the death penalty for all crimes. This move was part of a broader effort to align with European Union standards and human rights norms.

Legal Framework

The abolition of capital punishment in Moldova is enshrined in the country's Constitution. Article 24 of the Constitution explicitly prohibits the death penalty, ensuring that it cannot be reinstated without a constitutional amendment.

Current Status

As of today, Moldova is a abolitionist state, meaning that it has completely eliminated the death penalty from its legal system. The country is also a member of the Council of Europe, which advocates for the abolition of capital punishment across the continent.

International Commitments

Moldova is a signatory to several international treaties that oppose the death penalty, including the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Protocol No. 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights, which aim to abolish the death penalty in all circumstances.

Public Opinion

Public opinion in Moldova regarding capital punishment has varied over the years. While some segments of the population have historically supported the death penalty, there has been a growing acceptance of its abolition, particularly in light of Moldova's commitment to human rights and European integration.

See Also

• Human rights in Moldova
• Judicial system of Moldova
• European Convention on Human Rights
• Council of Europe