As we publish our latest death penalty report, looking at executions and sentences around the world during 2010, it is clear that countries using the death penalty are now increasingly isolated. See the global picture on the map below or read on to find out how you can help quicken the death of capital punishment.
*PLEASE NOTE In order to visualise the report data on this map, we have had to simplify the raw data. Some statistics given here are minimum figures. A blank indicates death sentences or executions occurred but we do not have an exact number. Some countries are not shown on this map, and names of countries and territories may differ from Amnesty’s preferred use. For the most complete and accurate data, please download the full report (pdf).
Celebrating progress…
When we first began campaigning on the death penalty in 1977, it had been abolished by just 16 countries. Yet over the decades, as countries have learned about the realities of the death penalty – its ineffectiveness in deterring crime, its incompatibility with human rights – they have turned against it.
Today 139 countries have abolished this cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment in law or practice, a remarkable achievement. Moreover:
- Whilst 67 countries handed down sentences in 2010, only 23 countries actually carried out executions – just over a third.
- The number of official executions reported fell from at least 714 people in 2009 to at least 527 in 2010, excluding China.
- We have also seen fresh steps towards abolition in countries including Belarus and Mongolia.
Right now, our friends at Amnesty Mongolia are doing all they can to persuade politicians and the public to back a bill aimed at ending the use of the death penalty there.
Take action: show your support for abolition in Mongolia
Battling setbacks…
Despite this progress and momentum, use of the death penalty remains deeply entrenched in a handful of countries, and it continues to be imposed with blatant disregard for international law. Death sentences are being handed down for offences that do not meet the threshold of ‘most serious crimes’ and often after unfair trials.
In Iran, for instance, our research shows an alarming upsurge in executions for acts such as drug trafficking or vaguely worded charges relating to national security.
Take action: stop the upsurge of executions in Iran
And another reminder why we do it…
Amnesty will always oppose the death penalty. We oppose it regardless of the crime, the offender, or the method used by the state to kill.
As the US State of Illinois recently concluded, the risk of executing an innocent person can never be eliminated as long as justice systems remain fallible. Illinois has now become the 16th US state to say no to the death penalty. We’ll keep campaigning for more individuals, states and nations to do the same, until we can finally declare it dead.
When I was a boy the Death Penalty was still in operation in the UK. The thought of the Judge giving his summation of the case, describing the murderer as cold blooded and merciless, he then places the black cap upon his head and then, in cold blood tells the accused, he will then “hang by the neck until he is dead”.
What hypocrisy!
That the USA and Iran should need to be pursuaded to cease executing their own folk speaks volumes to me…shame on them.
A welcome trend!
I noticed the report was mentioned on Aljazeera English News . Was it mentioned on the BBC news?
I think that there would be more impact, if information were given as to how many ‘under age’ and mentally ill individuals are executed each year.
I also agree with John Mahoney’s comment . I remember a case years ago where a man (described as a model prisoner) and one whose case had been mishandled by an inexperienced lawyer, tried to commit suicide before his execution. He was driven to hospital and had his stomach pumped only to be driven back to be put to death. And that after waiting under the threat of death for a number of years.
It occurred to me at the time whether even if he were guilty of murder( which I suspect he was not)that pulling a trigger was not as cruel and heartless as that treatment. I think he was called Brechan? Georgia , USA I believe.
It saddens me when I look at the interactive map at how many countries still hold the death penalty! I saw a programme a few weeks ago that said that Uganda is trying to push through a piece of legislation to kill those who are homosexuals!
It disgusts me to think that this still goes on in todays world! We must work together and call on governments including ours to pressurise those, for still allowing the death penalty to be existent in their countries.
I find it extraordinary that the USA, a country that holds itself up as a model of morality and decency throughout the world, still executes its citizens. Death Row prisoners are often supported by admirable compassionate Christians, yet executions are still justified by some states on religious grounds. This seems to be a regressive vengeful religion untouched by the Christ of the New Testament. I always thought ‘An eye for an eye’ (‘makes the whole world blind’, as Gandhi added) was superceded by ‘Let he who has no sin cast the first stone’. How can Christianity possibly be compatible with the death penalty?
I noticed your figures, but why was Singapore omitted
I’m glad to see that progress is being made. I look forward to the day that the death penalty no longer exists
it is only human. people throughout the world may sometimes find it difficulty to dissociate of death being the penalty for apostasy and dinail of human right. such events are only mildly condemned
Is it true that we still have the death penalty for treason on her majesties ports? I asked some of my friends about their feelings on capital punishment and sadly nearly all of the thought it was a suitable punishment for a murder or serial killer…
… an eye for an eye???
What more can be done to put pressure on the USA to abolish the death penalty?. How can that country comment on the human rights records of others while this abomination continues in its own territory? Please USA set an example. I am a Christian and believe that this type of punishment totally contravenes Christ’s teaching. Keep up the good work Amnesty.
@Rac Namman A quick note on the data visualisation: we created it using free software via the ManyEyes site http://www-958.ibm.com/software/data/cognos/manyeyes/page/FAQ.html Unfortunately, some countries – including Singapore and Bahrain – are not represented on their world map so I’ve contacted them and asked if it could be updated. Although the map is a powerful way of showing the global picture, for the most complete and accurate data I urge you to download our report: http://www.amnesty.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_21366.pdf
The new axis of evil -
China (1000s), Iran (252+), N Korea (60+), Yemen ( 53+) and the USA (46) – some company !
I regret that there is a Death Penalty in many countries but feel that mass murdererers/mass rapists/human traffickers do not deserve to live on this Earth to repeat their crimes.
@Annoymous Nothing carries the death penalty in UK or European law. The death penalty has been abolished for ALL crimes in the UK and it has also been outlawed in all UK overseas territories since 2002 – including for treason, piracy and mutiny.
I regret that there is a Death Penalty in many countries for mediocre crimes, but feel that mass murdererers/mass rapists/human traffickers/child abusers/child rapists do not deserve to live on this Earth to repeat their crimes and i dont see why law abiding people should pay for these evil bastards to be kept alive !
Good for Illinois that they have decided to abolish capital punishment but what about all the other states especially the southern ones we should tell them that it solves nothing and does undue harm to peoples understaning, let alone the lack of human rights of the one they are killing in whatever ‘humane’ way they do it
There is no evidence to indicate that each man’s life is pre- ordained, and that he has no choice or option in choosing between good and bad, right and wrong. The Holy Quran categorically rejects the concept of compulsion, and clearly states that every human being is free to choose between good and evil:
Yay to Illinois but a huge boo to the state of new jersey! They have an act ready that will not only reinstate it but gives a very specific guideline on procedure and even a paragraph re. Pregnant women. makes for very disturbing reading. Disappointing that such a country I otherwise am inspired by and I look up to can self destruct it’s most vulnerable members based on the old testament eye for an eye crap. (there is a *new* testament for a reason, Texas).
I am a 14 year old girl, and in one of my Humanities classes we watched ‘Dead Man Walking,’ showing us the loathsome and shameful ways of death penalties. It really gave me an insight to how they suffer; that with the right help, support and counselling the prisoners can become better people, and realise that whatever they have done to get themselves into the awful and despicable fate they are in was wrong. No one is born evil, the actions we make in life and what we do is what defines us for who we are, everyone has a good side and a bad. By giving someone a death penalty is no solution, we should try to be teaching them a better understanding of right from wrong deeds.
I agree with most of the comments that has been said. However, USA’s view on Capital punishment varies from state to state. I was born in the Netherlands and raised in California,where there was no death penalty until a few years ago, where the death penalty was reinstated. However, there are many views on this subject both christian and non-christian, but all agree that the perpertrador should not go on punish. As a christian I do not share this view. I don’t believe that by giving someone the death penalty is a solution because an eye for eye or tooth for a tooth comes from the old testament, and is not based Christ’s teaching of love and forgiviness.
Why is Singapore not included on the map, or even mentioned?