UN human rights chief calls on all nations to abolish death penalty

New York: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Tuesday asked all nations to work harder towards abolishing the death penalty, an ongoing practice in 79 countries.

Zambia: Abolition of the death penalty ‘a historic milestone’

New York: The decision by Zambia to abolish the death penalty is “a historic milestone’, the UN team in the country said on Friday in a statement.

UN experts call for complete abolition of death penalty as ‘only viable path’

Marking the 20th World Day Against the Death Penalty, two UN-appointed independent human rights experts on Monday issued a statement recalling that under international law, capital punishment is permitted only “in very limited circumstances”.

Saudi Arabia executes 81 people in one day on charges of terrorism

Saudi Arabia Saturday said it has executed a total of 81 people in one day on various terrorism-related charges, topping the executions last year and eliciting criticism from rights activists.

Bangladesh's cabinet gives nod to death penalty for rape

Dhaka/Xinhua: The Bangladeshi government on Monday approved a proposal for stringent punishment for rapists.

Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf gets death penalty in high treason case

Islamabad/UNI: A special court in Pakistan on Tuesday handed down death penalty to former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf in a high treason case, Pakistan media reported.

United States: UN human rights office welcomes California moratorium on death penalty

New York, Mar 15 (IBNS): The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has welcomed the signing of an executive order by the Governor of California, in the United States, to impose a moratorium on carrying out the death penalty, which grants a reprieve to 737 inmates, up to end of his term in office.

Death penalty concerns highlighted in Sudan, Belarus, by UN Human Rights Committee

New York, Nov 2 (IBNS): Countries should heed the “clear pro-abolitionist spirit” towards the death penalty of one of the world’s most important treaties, a key UN independent human rights panel said on Thursday, while highlighting concerns about right-to-life violations in Belarus and Sudan.

‘Put an end to the death penalty now’, urges Guterres, marking World Day

New York, Oct 11 (IBNS): Progress made toward eliminating the death penalty has been “marred by setbacks,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement on Wednesday, marking the 16th World Day Against the Death Penalty.