"Italy has become the 41st European state to make this important decision, which solidifies a death penalty free zone in Europe," Italy's ANSA news agency quoted Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis as saying.

Protocol 13 calls for the absolute abolishment of the death penalty, including in times of war or the threat of war.

The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms was adopted in 1950 to protect human rights in Europe.