Resolution 67/176. Moratorium on the use of the death penalty

Article 4. Calls upon all States:

(c) To progressively restrict the use of the death penalty and not to impose capital punishment for offences committed by persons below 18 years of age and on pregnant women;

(d) To reduce the number of offences for which the death penalty may be imposed;

(e) To establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty;

  • Death penalty

Article 5. Calls upon States which have abolished the death penalty not to reintroduce it, and encourages them to share their experience in this regard
  • Death penalty

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The moratorium resolution is co-sponsored by 95 UN member states representing all regions and cultures. Only 33 states or territories retain death penalty for drugs. Fewer use it. Very few, approximately 10 carry out executions for drugs. 137 UN member states have abolished the death penalty in law or practice.

The moratorium resolution was first presented in 2007. At the time it received 104 votes in favour, 54 against and 29 abstentions.

Votes in favour have steadily increased with each time the resolution is adopted. At the fifth occasion in December 2014, the resolution received 117 votes in favour and only 37 against, with 34 abstentions. This is clear evidence of building consensus.

The moratorium resolutions relate to the death penalty in general. Among those voting against are those that do not impose the death penalty for drug offences.