The Death Penalty under International Law:

A Background Paper to the IBAHRI Resolution on the Abolition of the Death Penalty

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The Death Penalty under International Law:

A Background Paper to the IBAHRI Resolution on the Abolition of the Death Penalty

Introduction
This paper aims to outline the status of the death penalty under international law.  Part One assesses existing treaty and customary international law, and notes that while the death penalty is not yet prohibited under universally-binding international law, its abolition is strongly encouraged and it may only be imposed within very strict limitations.  Part Two examines the increasing international trend amongst states to abolish the death penalty and identifies the likelihood that an international customary standard is developing.  Part Three considers the position of other international organisations on the death penalty, noting that according to our research all organisations with a human rights focus promote the abolition of the death penalty to varying degrees.

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