A court in Taiwan has decided to retain the death penalty – but its application should only be "limited to special and exceptional circumstances".
The case was brought to court by 37 prisoners who are currently sitting in death row awaiting execution.
In a statement, the court writes that although the right to life is protected by the country's constitution, such protection is "not absolute".
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-Te calls the verdict "an important milestone for Taiwan's judiciary", according to a spokesperson.
The death penalty still has strong support among Taiwanese people.
Taiwan has carried out 35 executions since a moratorium was lifted in 2010. The most recent execution was carried out in April 2020.
Opponents have long argued that the death penalty is an inhumane punishment method.
