The death penalty has no place in a modern criminal justice system. It violates the right to life; and the right not to be subjected to any cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. Despite this, at least 1,252 people were known to be executed by the state in 24 countries during 2007. The true figure was certainly higher.
China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the USA were responsible for 88 per cent of all known executions in 2007. An estimated 470 people were executed and 1,860 people sentenced to death in China. Again almost certainly an underestimation. Death penalty trials continued to be held behind closed doors, where “confessions” were often obtained through torture and detainees denied legal counsel.
The death penalty is not an effective deterrent. It is irrevocable, and can lead to the execution of innocent people; in the USA, more than 120 people have been released as innocent from death rows since 1975.
It is also used disproportionately against the poor and minority groups, and as a tool of political repression.
In Saudi Arabia, at least 158 people were executed in 2007, including, three women and at least one child offender. Dhahian Rakan al-Sibai was sentenced to death for a murder he allegedly committed when he was 15 years old.
Progress on the abolition of the death penalty has been considerable over the last few decades – 137 countries, two-thirds of the world, had abolished the death penalty.
Yet, many governments still believe they can solve social or political problems by executing prisoners. Sixty countries, including the USA, India and China, retain the death penalty.