News and Updates

Iran must halt execution of web programmer

19 January 2012

Court confirms death penalty for Saeed Malekpour sentenced after his web program was used to post pornographic images without his knowledge.

Iran must halt execution of US national in ‘spying’ case

9 January 2012

Amir Hekmati was accused of spying for the CIA and sentenced to death for “collaboration with a hostile government”.

Mongolia takes ‘vital step forward’ in abolishing the death penalty

5 January 2012

The Mongolian parliament overwhelmingly approves a bill that aims to scrap the death penalty.

Iran: Surge of secret executions for drug offences must end

15 December 2011

At least 488 people have been executed for alleged drug offences so far in 2011, a nearly threefold increase on 2009, a new Amnesty International report says.

Saudi Arabia: Beheading for 'sorcery' shocking

12 December 2011

Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry has said a woman has been beheaded for the crime of "witchcraft and sorcery."

Over 250,000 people call on Belarus to end executions

9 December 2011

Amnesty International were turned away from delivering a global petition to Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, calling for an end to executions in Belarus.

Asia: Stop executions and unfair trials

6 December 2011

A hardline group of Asian countries are defying the global trend against the death penalty and putting to death thousands of people after unfair trials.

Belarus: Two sentenced to death over Minsk metro bombing

30 November 2011

There are concerns the two men were ill-treated and forced to confess before facing a deeply flawed trial and death sentences.

Oregon state governor blocks executions and opens door to abolition

25 November 2011

Oregon governor John Kitzhaber issued a reprieve to convicted murderer Gary Haugen, who was due to be executed on 6 December.

Idaho urged to prevent first execution in 17 years

17 November 2011

Paul Rhoades is due to be put to death by lethal injection on Friday after 24 years on death row for murder.

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