Protocol No. 6 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Concerning the Abolition of the Death Penalty

Abstract

The member States of the Council of Europe, signatory to this Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, signed at Rome on 4 November 1950 (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention"), Considering that the evolution that has occurred in several member States of the Council of Europe expresses a general tendency in favour of abolition of the death penalty, Have agreed as follows: Article 1 – Abolition of the death penalty The death penalty shall be abolished. No-one shall be condemned to such penalty or executed. Article 2 – Death penalty in time of war A State may make provision in its law for the death penalty in respect of acts committed in time of war or of imminent threat of war; such penalty shall be applied only in the instances laid down in the law and in accordance with its provisions. The State shall communicate to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe the relevant provisions of that law. Article 3 – Prohibition of derogations No derogation from the provisions of this Protocol shall be made under Article 15 of the Convention. Article 4 – Prohibition of reservations (1)