government: semi-presidential republic
state of civil and political rights: Free
constitution: 10 September 1990
legal system: based on Portuguese legal system and customary law
legislative system: unicameral National Assembly
judicial system: Supreme Court whose judges are appointed the National Assembly
religion: Catholic majority
death row:
year of last executions: 0-0-0
death sentences: 0
executions: 0
international treaties on human rights and the death penalty:International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (signed only)
1st Optional Protocol to the Covenant (signed only)
Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (aiming to the abolition of the death penalty)
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (signed only)
Statute of the International Criminal Court (which excludes the death penalty) (only signed)
situation:
The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe (1990) at Art. 21 states:(1990) at Art. 21 states: "Human life is inviolable. In no case shall there be the death penalty."
On December 19, 2016 Sao Tome and Principe, as in previous years, voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty at the UN General Assembly, but did not co-sponsored the text. On December 20, 2012, Sao Tome and Principe co-sponsored the Resolution on a Moratorium but was absent during the vote.
On December 17, 2018, Sao Tomé co-sponsored and voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty at the UN General Assembly.
