No proposal to abolish capital punishment: Govt

New Delhi, Nov.30 (ANI): Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran on Tuesday said the central government does not propose to abolish capital punishment awarded to criminals involved in heinous crimes.

He told members of the Lok Sabha in a written reply: "There is no proposal under consideration of the government to abolish capital punishment."

He further said that since 2007, the UN General Assembly has adopted three resolutions titled "Moratorium on the use of the death penalty". All these resolutions have been passed after a vote.

On 11th November 2010, the non-binding third resolution received 107 votes in favour, 38 votes against and 36 abstentions. As reported by the Ministry of External Affairs, the exact figures of number of countries which have abolished death penalty is not available, he said.

Ramachandran said that as per UN Secretary General's report of July 2008, 141 countries had abolished the death penalty in law or practice.

Of these, 93 have completely abolished, 10 are abolitionist for ordinary crimes only and further 38 can be considered de facto abolitionist.

The remaining 56 countries and territories retain and practice death penalty, he added. (ANI)