Abolition of the death penalty

In 2021, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers adopted a Recommendation Rec(2021)2 on measures against the trade in goods used for the death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. It encourages all member States to take unified action in this area, reinforcing their shared opposition to the death penalty, torture and ill-treatment.

After the organisation of an event entitled ”Strengthening multilateral efforts to curb trade in torture and death penalty goods”, the Steering Committee on Human Rights (CDDH) drafted a report reviewing the implementation of each measure contained in Recommendation CM/Rec(2021)2, and setting out conclusions and recommendations for possible further actions. This report adopted by the CDDH on 26 June 2025 is accessible here : https://rm.coe.int/publication-torture-implementation-of-recommendation-cm-rec-2021-2-on-/4880281f68

On 7 October 2025, the Committee of Ministers adopted a set of decisions dealing with the follow-up to the report which includes further actions to strengthen the implementation of existing measures. The decisions invite inter alia the CDDH to examine the possibility of introducing a simplified procedure for the amendment of Appendix 2 regarding pharmaceuticals used in lethal injection executions, and to conduct a further examination of the implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec(2021)2 at an appropriate time. The Committee of Ministers also reaffirms its support for an international, legally binding instrument on torture-free trade and invites the CDDH to report on UN-level developments, with a view to exploring the need for and feasibility for a Council of Europe binding instrument open to ratification by non-member States. 

 More information : Curbing the Death Penalty and Torture Trade: Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Adopts Key Decisions  - Human Rights Intergovernmental Cooperation