Abolish the death penalty

DEATH PENALTY IN 2008-The journey towards abolition continues

Amnesty International recorded that at least 2390 people were executed and at least 8864 sentenced to death around the world in 2008. Read more

The death penalty is the ultimate denial of human rights. It is the premeditated and cold-blooded killing of a human being by the state. This cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment is done in the name of justice.

It violates the right to life as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the offender, or the method used by the state to kill the prisoner.

News & actions

News & actions

A Uighur woman protests before a group of paramilitary police in Urumqi, 7 July 2009.

Stop human rights violations against Uighurs in China

5 February 2010

The police crackdown on peaceful Uighur demonstrations in July 2009 echoed the violent repression of a Uighur protest in Gulja 13 years ago.
Demonstrations that took place following the 12 June 2009 presidential elections in Iran

Nine at risk of execution over Iran protests

2 February 2010

Amnesty International says it fears the authorities are planning to execute some or all of the nine before 11 February, the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Supporters of reformist candidate gather on streets of Tehran to protest results of presidential election, Iran, 13 June 2009

'Shocking' execution of Iran protesters condemned

28 January 2010

Amnesty International has condemned the execution of two men arrested during protests that followed Iran's disputed presidential election last year.
‘Ali Hassan al-Majeed was executed after receiving four death sentences

Execution of 'Chemical Ali' in Iraq criticised

26 January 2010

Amnesty International deplores the execution in Baghdad of ‘Ali Hassan al-Majeed, also known as Chemical Ali, for his involvement in one of the worst atrocities committed under the government of Saddam Hussain.

Kurdish man at imminent risk of execution in Iran

22 January 2010

Habibollah Latifi was sentenced to death in 2008 in connection with his links to a banned Kurdish organization.
RSS RSS RSS | What's RSS?

Trend towards abolition

Trend towards abolition

No of countries that carried out executions

Amnesty International monitors developments around the application of the death penalty worldwide. The graph above is based on figures that Amnesty International publishes every year.

Watch and Listen

Watch and Listen

The death penalty in the Americas in 2008

Video: The death penalty in the Americas in 2008

Sam Millsap, former District Attorney in Texas, USA, sentenced to death Ruben Cantu for capital murder. In 2005, thirteen years after his execution, as serious questions were raised concerning Cantu’s guilt, Millsap acknowledged that he made an error in seeking the death penalty on the basis of the testimony of a single eyewitness. Sam Millsap is now actively campaigning against the death penalty.
The death penalty in Asia in 2008

Video: The death penalty in Asia in 2008

Forty years ago, judge Kumamoto Norimichi convicted and sentenced to death Iwao Hakamada, despite believing he was innocent. When arrested, Iwao Hakamada was tortured until he confessed to the crime. He then retracted his confession. He remains on death row, facing imminent execution.
The death penalty in Europe and Central Asia in 2008

Video: The death penalty in Europe and Central Asia in 2008

Interview with Oleg Alkaev: he carried out executions in Belarus between 1996 and 2001.
The death penalty in Middle East and North Africa in 2008

Video: The death penalty in Middle East and North Africa in 2008

Dr Mohammed Al-Tarawneh worked in the court of appeal in Jordan for 25 years. He has first hand knowledge about the application of the death penalty in Jordan.