Protocol No. 13 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms concerning the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances Vilnius, 3.V.2002 The Member States Of The Council Of Europe, signatory hereto, Convinced that everyone’s right to life is a basic value in a democratic society and that the abolition of the death penalty is essential for the protection of this right and for the full recognition of the inherent dignity of all human beings; Wishing to strengthen the protection of the right to life guaranteed by the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms signed at Rome on 4 November 1950 (hereinafter referred to as “the Convention”); Noting that Protocol No. 6 to the Convention, concerning the Abolition of the Death Penalty, signed at Strasbourg on 28 April 1983, does not exclude the death penalty in respect of acts committed in time of war or of imminent threat of war; Being resolved to take the final step in order to abolish the death penalty in all circumstances, 54 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 Prohibition of derogations No derogation from the provisions of this Protocol shall be made under Article 15 of the Convention. ARTICLE 3 Prohibition of reservations No reservation may be made under Article 57 of the Convention in respect of the provisions of this Protocol. ARTICLE 4 Territorial application 1. Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval, specify the territory or territories to which this Protocol shall apply. 2. Any State may at any later date, by a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, extend the application of this Protocol to any other territory specified in the declaration. In respect of such territory the Protocol shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of such declaration. 55