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18th April, 2008
Amnesty International has called for the “veil of secrecy” surrounding executions to be lifted, saying citizens had a right to know what governments were doing in their name.
Releasing its figures for death sentences and executions last year, Amnesty says that while its data shows there were 1,252 executions in 24 countries in 2007, “many more” are believed to have been killed in secret in nations such as China, Vietnam and Mongolia.
“The secretive use of the death penalty must stop: the veil of secrecy surrounding the death penalty must be lifted,” the London-based organisation said in a statement. “Many governments claims that executions take place with public support. People therefore have a right to know what is being done in their name.”
Saudi Arabia had the highest number of executions per capita last year, according to figures released be Amnesty International.
The organisation said it was one of several nations where the number of executions increased from 2006 figures. The data shows Saudi Arabia had 143 executions compared with 39 in 2006, Iran 317 executions compared with 177 and Pakistan 135 compared with 82.
Eighty five per cent of all known executions took place in five countries - China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the US - with China topping the list with 470 confirmed executions.
The data also shows that during 2007, at least 3,347 people were sentenced to death in 51 countries. An estimated 27,500 people are believed to be on death row.
~ www.amnesty.org
- DAVID ADAMS
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