The international community is moving towards the abolition of the death penalty but executions continue to lawful in a number of countries under certain circumstances where a crime of murder has been perpetrated at the issue of a fair trial. The mandatory death sentence is, however, always arbitrary. Those under 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the crime may not be lawfully sentenced to death and pregnant women may not be executed. The legality of executing persons with disabilities or older persons is also assessed. Finally, the death penalty in connection with an armed conflict is considered.