Death penalty | News and current affairs from Germany and around the world | DW | 10.04.2017

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Death penalty

The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, refers to the practice by states of putting a person to death for committing certain crimes.

Dozens of countries still use executions as a punishment for certain offenses, although most, including those in the European Union, have abolished it completely. Many people consider the death penalty a violation of human rights. Here you can find an automatic compilation of all DW content on the death penalty.

USA Moratorium für Todesstrafen in Kalifornien

California Governor Gavin Newsom signs moratorium on executions 13.03.2019

Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order sparing the lives of more than 700 death row inmates, saying "the death penalty is an abject failure." The move was immediately criticized by President Donald Trump.
Ali Aldubaisi, saudischer Dissident

Saudi human rights activist Ali Adubisi agitates from Berlin 21.01.2019

Since fleeing to Germany, Ali Adubisi has been campaigning for human rights in Saudi Arabia. Now he and his organization have published a report on the death penalty in his home country.
Jamal Khashoggi

Jamal Khashoggi murder trial opens in Saudi Arabia with calls for death penalty 03.01.2019

The suspects charged with killing journalist Jamal Khashoggi have appeared in court. His murder in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul threw the kingdom into turmoil, with many suspecting high-level involvement.

China Gericht in Tianjin

China orders fresh trial for Canadian drug trafficker 30.12.2018

Robert Lloyd Schellenberg was set to begin a 15-year jail sentence for smuggling drugs. But the Canadian could now face the death penalty after a Chinese court ordered a retrial.
Fall Khashoggi - Gedenkveranstaltung in Washington

Khashoggi killing: Saudi prosecutor seeks death penalty for five suspects 15.11.2018

Saudi Arabia's top prosecutor has recommended the death penalty for five of the suspects charged in the murder case of dissident writer Jamal Khashoggi. However, he denied Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's involvement.
Gegen die Todesstrafe

German state of Hesse to abolish death penalty 02.11.2018

A vote to reform Hesse's constitution saw a clear majority in favor of scrapping the death penalty. The repeal is symbolic as federal law made capital punishment illegal after World War II.
Symbolbild Todesstrafe Galgen

Malaysia to abolish death penalty 11.10.2018

The Malaysian government has agreed to amend the law to abolish capital punishment and halt all pending executions. Human rights groups have hailed the decision.
Ausschnitt Sierra Leone Ernest Bai Koroma und Samuel Sam-Sumana

Africa Link on Air - 10 October 2018 10.10.2018

Sierra Leone cancels a multimillion deal with China to build a new airport+++ Business community backs S African new finance minister Tito Mboweni+++Listen to how life is in two divided cities of Cameroon+++The fate of death row inmates in Uganda as world marks day against the death penalty.
Bangladesch Protest Tarique Rahman

Bangladeshi opposition chief gets life sentence over deadly 2004 attack 10.10.2018

A court has sentenced opposition leader Tarique Rahman to life in prison and given the death penalty to 19 others. The attack left more than 20 dead and hundreds injured, including current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Fußball Bundesliga l Hertha BSC Berlin vs Bayern München 2:0 l Sieg für Hertha

Bundesliga: Capital punishment for Bayern Munich 28.09.2018

Bayern Munich dropped points for the second time in a week as they followed up a draw against Augsburg with a defeat in Berlin. It was Hertha Berlin's first win against Bayern in nearly 10 years.
Hessen, Terrorverdächtiger vor Gericht

European court upholds deportation of Tunisian terror suspect 27.09.2018

The man had appealed against his deportation from Germany, saying he faced death penalty in his native country. Tunisia order his extradition in connection with a 2015 attack in Tunis which left over 20 tourists dead.
Symbolbild Arabischer Frühling Saudi-Arabien

Saudi female activist faces death penalty, rights groups say 21.08.2018

Human rights activist Israa al-Ghomgham, imprisoned for protesting alongside Saudi Arabia's Shia minority, is facing possible execution by beheading. Experts have warned of increasing repression in the country.
Indien Mandsaur - Proteste nach Vergewaltigung

India orders death sentence for rapists of 8-year-old 21.08.2018

The sentence is one of the first under a new law allowing for speedy trials and death penalties for child rapists. The brutal rape of the class 2 student in June sparked angry protests.
USA Nevada Exekutions-Raum

Nebraska executes first US inmate using fentanyl 14.08.2018

Nebraska had abolished the use of capital punishment in 2015 but reinstated it through a referendum a year later. A German company attempted to stay the execution, saying Nebraska obtained the lethal drugs improperly.
Symbolbild Todesstrafe Giftspritze

Nebraska execution can go ahead despite German pharma firm's opposition, judge rules 11.08.2018

German pharmaceutical company Fresenius Kabi had argued Nebraska cannot use its drugs to carry out an execution. A judge ruled that the execution can go ahead.

USA Todesstrafe Medikament Midazolam

Fresenius case puts spotlight on misuse of medicines in executions 10.08.2018

A lawsuit filed by a German pharma company against the US state of Nebraska has once again drawn attention to US authorities finding it hard to obtain the drug cocktails they need to carry out the death penalty.

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