b Year in which independence was achieved. No executions have taken place since that time. The date of the last execution prior to independence is not available.

The hanging brought to the fore the debate around the death penalty a timely discussion, given that the United Nations General Assembly recently approved a draft resolution in favor of abolishing the death penalty worldwide.

Practice Various methods are used to achieve the level of oxygen depletion needed, such as a hanging, suffocation with a plastic bag over the head, self strangulation such as with a ligature, gas or volatile solvents, chest compression, or some combination of these.

Replying to the question by the representative of Canada, he said that the death penalty fell within his mandate only when the death sentence was based on evidence obtained under torture or when particularly cruel methods of execution were used, such as stoning or double hanging.

Status of capital punishment in December 2003 completely abolitionist countries and territoriesa