This article needs additional citations for
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Capital punishment for offenses is allowed by law in some countries. Such offenses include adultery, apostasy, blasphemy, corruption, drug trafficking, espionage, fraud, homosexuality and sodomy, perjury, prostitution, sorcery and witchcraft, theft, and treason.
This section needs additional citations for
verification. (April 2023) |
The following countries impose the death penalty for adultery: Afghanistan, Brunei, [1] Iran, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan[ citation needed], Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Qatar.
Apostasy means renouncing/abandoning/leaving one's religion for another religion (known as conversion) or irreligion (known as deconversion or disaffiliation, including to stances such as atheism, agnosticism and freethought). In the 21st century, this is considered a crime only for Muslims, in a limited number of countries and territories (twenty-five as of 2014 [update] according to Pew Research Center, all of which were located in Africa or Asia [2]), about ten of which include capital punishment as a penalty for it; other jurisdictions may inflict less severe punishments such as imprisonment, a fine or loss of some civil rights, notably one's marriage and child custody. [2] Converting a Muslim to another religion or irreligion is sometimes also criminalised as being an 'accomplice to apostasy'. [3] Apostasy is not known to be a crime liable to any type of penalty for adherents of any other religion in any country in the 21st century. [4] Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) includes the 'freedom to change [one's] religion or belief', therefore any obstruction of apostasy is considered a human rights violation in international law. [4]
Blasphemy means insult, defamation or desecration ( sacrilege) of something that or someone who is deemed holy in one or more religions. Unlike apostasy, the religious status of the person suspected or accused of blasphemy is generally regarded as irrelevant; for example, a Muslim may be accused of 'blaspheming' a thing or person deemed holy by some Christians (or Christian organisation or authority), and vice versa, even if that thing or person is not 'holy' to the suspect. In the 21st century, blasphemy is much more widely criminalised than apostasy, in jurisdictions around the world, and is influenced by several religions including Christianity, Islam and Judaism. [2] As of July 2020 [update], blasphemy could be punished by the death penalty in eight countries, all of which were Muslim-majority. [5]
In some jurisdictions influenced by Sharia (Islamic law), apostasy and blasphemy are closely linked offences. 'Apostasy', or 'public expression of apostasy', is sometimes considered a form, or evidence of, blasphemy; it is then prosecuted as such, even though 'apostasy' itself may not be a crime. [6] This has occurred for example in Pakistan. Likewise, blasphemy is sometimes considered a form, or evidence of, apostasy, and is then prosecuted as such, even though 'blasphemy' itself may not be a (capital) crime. An example of where this situation can occur is Qatar. [7]
Apostasy and blasphemy tend to be closely legally linked to atheism. Formally, being an atheist—or otherwise non-religious person—itself is not an offence in any country, but in practice it is difficult to be an atheist without being able to become an atheist (which is legally impossible for Muslims in many countries, some of which impose capital punishment) or while needing to keep it a secret to everyone that one is an atheist. Therefore, although there is a technical difference between becoming an atheist (a form of apostasy), being an atheist (atheism), and expressing that one is an atheist (which is considered a form of 'blasphemy' by some), some commentators frame the legal situation such that 'being an atheist is punishable by death' [8] or that 'atheism is punishable by the death penalty' in some countries. [9]
This section contains
too many or overly lengthy quotations. (July 2023) |
As of July 2020, apostasy by Muslims (ridda) carries the death penalty in the following countries: Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, the Maldives, Mauritania, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia (implicitly), the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Malaysia's states Kelantan and Terengganu mandate the death penalty for apostasy, but federal law prohibits execution for this purpose; due to this, it is never implemented in practice. [3] Likewise in Nigeria, some northern states have adopted Sharia law, although execution for apostasy would violate the Federal Constitution, and it is therefore uncertain whether death sentences could actually be carried out. [10]
As of July 2020, blasphemy can be punished by death in Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria (some northern states), Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Somalia ( al-Shabaab-controlled areas). [5]
The concept has its roots in a Quranic verse that calls for death, maiming or banishment for those who "wage war" against God, the Prophet Muhammad or bring corruption into society. Many Islamic scholars interpret the references to acts that defy universal codes such as intentionally killing civilians during warfare or causing random destruction.
The following countries impose the death penalty for corruption: China, Indonesia (some acts of corruption which "damage national economy or finances"), Morocco, Thailand ( bribery), Vietnam (bribery).[ citation needed]
The following countries allow capital punishment for drug trafficking:[ citation needed]
Possessing or using alcoholic beverages is illegal or highly restricted in some countries. [39] [40] There has been at least one report of an execution for an alcohol-related offence. In 2020, Amnesty International reported that a man was sentenced to death in Iran for "repeated convictions for drinking alcohol". The sentence of death was carried out. In those states where alcohol is illegal or highly restricted—including, in most circumstances, in Iran—the penalties are generally fines, jail sentences, or corporal punishments such as whipping. [41]
The following countries impose the death penalty for espionage:
China and Vietnam impose the death penalty for fraud.[ citation needed]
According to the ILGA, there are six countries which under law allow capital punishment for same-sex sexual acts: Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria (in part: northern states only), Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. There are five others for which the situation is less certain legally, but where capital punishment for same-sex sexual acts may apply: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Qatar, Somalia (including Somaliland), and the United Arab Emirates. [42]
In 2023, Uganda passed the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023 which introduced harsher penalties for homosexual acts. Section 3 of the act created an offence of "aggravated homosexuality" which is liable to the death penalty. This is defined as sexual intercourse with a person over 75 or child under 18, a person not consenting or unable to consent, or a disabled or mentally ill person. Those convicted of homosexual offences multiple times are also defined as "aggravated homosexuals". [43]
In July 2020, the sodomy law of Sudan, that previously punished gay men with up to 100 lashes for the first offence, five years in jail for the second and the death penalty the third time around, was abolished, with new legislation reducing the penalty to prison terms ranging from five years to life. [44]
The following countries impose the death penalty for perjury causing the wrongful execution of an innocent person:
Most U.S. states, as well as most countries around the world that retain capital punishment, would normally consider perjury causing execution of an innocent person as murder and punish it the same way;[ citation needed] often by death or life without parole. In Nebraska and Colorado, perjury causing execution of an innocent person is considered by law as an act of first-degree murder, punishable by death or life without parole. In California, perjury causing execution of an innocent person is a discrete offence and is separated from laws regarding murder or homicide; it is also punishable by death or life without parole. (In comparison, in this jurisdiction, first-degree murder is punished by death, life without parole or 25 years to life in prison). Some countries, such as Morocco and Mauritania, punish perjury by death when any person who is innocent has been sentenced to death for any reason. Even if the execution does not occur, perjury causing someone to be sentenced to death in itself is a death-eligible offence in these countries.[ citation needed]
Iran, [45] [46] North Korea, Sudan, and Yemen provide for capital punishment for prostitution.[ citation needed]
The following countries impose the death penalty for various offences related to prostitution:
Saudi Arabia, [47] [48] and Iran impose the death penalty for sorcery and witchcraft.[ citation needed]
The following countries impose the death penalty for theft: Afghanistan; Algeria and Cameroon (both for "aggravated theft"); China; Iran and Saudi Arabia (both for "recidivist theft"); North Korea ("grand theft").
The following countries still allow capital punishment for treason:
Laws of apostasy and punishment using the death penalty gradually lost their importance in [Western] societies. In the face of this global trend, today [2015], Islam seems to be the only major religion to maintain that conversion away from the religion (apostasy) must be punished with death. In a number of Muslim-majority countries such as Saudi Arabia, apostasy laws and the associated death penalty still prevail.
Reformist websites report that Ayatollah Mostafa Mohaghegh Damad, a leading instructor in Iran's seminary city of Qom, has sought to rally other clerics to oppose the use of moharebeh charges against political protesters.
... was executed following repeated convictions for drinking alcohol
were publicly lashed for various offenses, including adultery, running away from home, theft, homosexuality, drinking alcohol, forgery and drug trafficking.
The ISNA reported that the 31-year-old kidnapped two 15-year-olds.
This article needs additional citations for
verification. (September 2017) |
Capital punishment for offenses is allowed by law in some countries. Such offenses include adultery, apostasy, blasphemy, corruption, drug trafficking, espionage, fraud, homosexuality and sodomy, perjury, prostitution, sorcery and witchcraft, theft, and treason.
This section needs additional citations for
verification. (April 2023) |
The following countries impose the death penalty for adultery: Afghanistan, Brunei, [1] Iran, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan[ citation needed], Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Qatar.
Apostasy means renouncing/abandoning/leaving one's religion for another religion (known as conversion) or irreligion (known as deconversion or disaffiliation, including to stances such as atheism, agnosticism and freethought). In the 21st century, this is considered a crime only for Muslims, in a limited number of countries and territories (twenty-five as of 2014 [update] according to Pew Research Center, all of which were located in Africa or Asia [2]), about ten of which include capital punishment as a penalty for it; other jurisdictions may inflict less severe punishments such as imprisonment, a fine or loss of some civil rights, notably one's marriage and child custody. [2] Converting a Muslim to another religion or irreligion is sometimes also criminalised as being an 'accomplice to apostasy'. [3] Apostasy is not known to be a crime liable to any type of penalty for adherents of any other religion in any country in the 21st century. [4] Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) includes the 'freedom to change [one's] religion or belief', therefore any obstruction of apostasy is considered a human rights violation in international law. [4]
Blasphemy means insult, defamation or desecration ( sacrilege) of something that or someone who is deemed holy in one or more religions. Unlike apostasy, the religious status of the person suspected or accused of blasphemy is generally regarded as irrelevant; for example, a Muslim may be accused of 'blaspheming' a thing or person deemed holy by some Christians (or Christian organisation or authority), and vice versa, even if that thing or person is not 'holy' to the suspect. In the 21st century, blasphemy is much more widely criminalised than apostasy, in jurisdictions around the world, and is influenced by several religions including Christianity, Islam and Judaism. [2] As of July 2020 [update], blasphemy could be punished by the death penalty in eight countries, all of which were Muslim-majority. [5]
In some jurisdictions influenced by Sharia (Islamic law), apostasy and blasphemy are closely linked offences. 'Apostasy', or 'public expression of apostasy', is sometimes considered a form, or evidence of, blasphemy; it is then prosecuted as such, even though 'apostasy' itself may not be a crime. [6] This has occurred for example in Pakistan. Likewise, blasphemy is sometimes considered a form, or evidence of, apostasy, and is then prosecuted as such, even though 'blasphemy' itself may not be a (capital) crime. An example of where this situation can occur is Qatar. [7]
Apostasy and blasphemy tend to be closely legally linked to atheism. Formally, being an atheist—or otherwise non-religious person—itself is not an offence in any country, but in practice it is difficult to be an atheist without being able to become an atheist (which is legally impossible for Muslims in many countries, some of which impose capital punishment) or while needing to keep it a secret to everyone that one is an atheist. Therefore, although there is a technical difference between becoming an atheist (a form of apostasy), being an atheist (atheism), and expressing that one is an atheist (which is considered a form of 'blasphemy' by some), some commentators frame the legal situation such that 'being an atheist is punishable by death' [8] or that 'atheism is punishable by the death penalty' in some countries. [9]
This section contains
too many or overly lengthy quotations. (July 2023) |
As of July 2020, apostasy by Muslims (ridda) carries the death penalty in the following countries: Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, the Maldives, Mauritania, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia (implicitly), the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Malaysia's states Kelantan and Terengganu mandate the death penalty for apostasy, but federal law prohibits execution for this purpose; due to this, it is never implemented in practice. [3] Likewise in Nigeria, some northern states have adopted Sharia law, although execution for apostasy would violate the Federal Constitution, and it is therefore uncertain whether death sentences could actually be carried out. [10]
As of July 2020, blasphemy can be punished by death in Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria (some northern states), Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Somalia ( al-Shabaab-controlled areas). [5]
The concept has its roots in a Quranic verse that calls for death, maiming or banishment for those who "wage war" against God, the Prophet Muhammad or bring corruption into society. Many Islamic scholars interpret the references to acts that defy universal codes such as intentionally killing civilians during warfare or causing random destruction.
The following countries impose the death penalty for corruption: China, Indonesia (some acts of corruption which "damage national economy or finances"), Morocco, Thailand ( bribery), Vietnam (bribery).[ citation needed]
The following countries allow capital punishment for drug trafficking:[ citation needed]
Possessing or using alcoholic beverages is illegal or highly restricted in some countries. [39] [40] There has been at least one report of an execution for an alcohol-related offence. In 2020, Amnesty International reported that a man was sentenced to death in Iran for "repeated convictions for drinking alcohol". The sentence of death was carried out. In those states where alcohol is illegal or highly restricted—including, in most circumstances, in Iran—the penalties are generally fines, jail sentences, or corporal punishments such as whipping. [41]
The following countries impose the death penalty for espionage:
China and Vietnam impose the death penalty for fraud.[ citation needed]
According to the ILGA, there are six countries which under law allow capital punishment for same-sex sexual acts: Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria (in part: northern states only), Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. There are five others for which the situation is less certain legally, but where capital punishment for same-sex sexual acts may apply: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Qatar, Somalia (including Somaliland), and the United Arab Emirates. [42]
In 2023, Uganda passed the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023 which introduced harsher penalties for homosexual acts. Section 3 of the act created an offence of "aggravated homosexuality" which is liable to the death penalty. This is defined as sexual intercourse with a person over 75 or child under 18, a person not consenting or unable to consent, or a disabled or mentally ill person. Those convicted of homosexual offences multiple times are also defined as "aggravated homosexuals". [43]
In July 2020, the sodomy law of Sudan, that previously punished gay men with up to 100 lashes for the first offence, five years in jail for the second and the death penalty the third time around, was abolished, with new legislation reducing the penalty to prison terms ranging from five years to life. [44]
The following countries impose the death penalty for perjury causing the wrongful execution of an innocent person:
Most U.S. states, as well as most countries around the world that retain capital punishment, would normally consider perjury causing execution of an innocent person as murder and punish it the same way;[ citation needed] often by death or life without parole. In Nebraska and Colorado, perjury causing execution of an innocent person is considered by law as an act of first-degree murder, punishable by death or life without parole. In California, perjury causing execution of an innocent person is a discrete offence and is separated from laws regarding murder or homicide; it is also punishable by death or life without parole. (In comparison, in this jurisdiction, first-degree murder is punished by death, life without parole or 25 years to life in prison). Some countries, such as Morocco and Mauritania, punish perjury by death when any person who is innocent has been sentenced to death for any reason. Even if the execution does not occur, perjury causing someone to be sentenced to death in itself is a death-eligible offence in these countries.[ citation needed]
Iran, [45] [46] North Korea, Sudan, and Yemen provide for capital punishment for prostitution.[ citation needed]
The following countries impose the death penalty for various offences related to prostitution:
Saudi Arabia, [47] [48] and Iran impose the death penalty for sorcery and witchcraft.[ citation needed]
The following countries impose the death penalty for theft: Afghanistan; Algeria and Cameroon (both for "aggravated theft"); China; Iran and Saudi Arabia (both for "recidivist theft"); North Korea ("grand theft").
The following countries still allow capital punishment for treason:
Laws of apostasy and punishment using the death penalty gradually lost their importance in [Western] societies. In the face of this global trend, today [2015], Islam seems to be the only major religion to maintain that conversion away from the religion (apostasy) must be punished with death. In a number of Muslim-majority countries such as Saudi Arabia, apostasy laws and the associated death penalty still prevail.
Reformist websites report that Ayatollah Mostafa Mohaghegh Damad, a leading instructor in Iran's seminary city of Qom, has sought to rally other clerics to oppose the use of moharebeh charges against political protesters.
... was executed following repeated convictions for drinking alcohol
were publicly lashed for various offenses, including adultery, running away from home, theft, homosexuality, drinking alcohol, forgery and drug trafficking.
The ISNA reported that the 31-year-old kidnapped two 15-year-olds.