Abolish the Death Penalty

Russia moves one step closer to death penalty abolition

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International has welcomed a decision by Russia's Constitutional Court that brings the country a step closer to abolishing the death penalty.

Ohio moves to resume executions under new protocol

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International is appealing to the authorities in the state of Ohio not to resume executions, following their adoption of a new lethal injection protocol.

A Troubling Week in Texas

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:29:00 EST

The death penalty is always inhumane, and the past few days in Texas have brought to light some of its most worrisome aspects. On Wednesday, The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles recommended that Robert Thompson?s death sentence for his role in a 1996 robbery and shooting be commuted to life imprisonment. The shooter, Sammy Butler, was [...]

(UA 253/09) Halt Executions of Kenneth Biros and Five Ohio Prisoners

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:54:21 EST

The state of Ohio has announced new lethal injection procedures and plans to execute Kenneth Biros on December 8. Five other male prisoners in Ohio are scheduled for execution in the coming months.

(UA 312/09) Stop Death Sentence of Jassim Abdulmanan

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:34:05 EST

A court in Bahrain upheld the death penalty against Jassim Abdulmanan, a Bangladeshi national. The execution is now awaiting ratification by the king. Abdulmanan could be executed within weeks.

It's Still About Killing People

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:39:00 EST

Caught between a legal requirement to avoid cruelty, and its desire to kill prisoners, the state of Ohio is struggling to find an acceptable method of execution following the botched, and failed, attempt to put Romell Broom to death on September 15. As reported in today?s New York Times, the method the state has chosen [...]

Iran: Amnesty International Calls on Iran to Stop Imminent Execution of Kurdish Man

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Iranian authorities must halt the imminent execution of Sherko Moarefi, a Kurdish man convicted of "enmity against God" over his alleged membership in a proscribed Kurdish organization, Amnesty International said today.

(UA 271/09) Halt Death Penalty Against Two Kurds

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:14:31 EST

Habibollah Latifi and Sherko Moarefi, allegedly both members of Kurdish organizations, have been convicted of "enmity against God" and are at imminent risk of execution. Ehsan Fattahian, a member of a Kurdish opposition group, was executed on 11 November without being given an opportunity to appeal against his death sentence.

Iran: Authorities must stop imminent execution of Kurdish man

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Iranian authorities must halt the imminent execution of Sherko Moarefi, a Kurdish man convicted of “enmity against God” over his alleged membership of a proscribed Kurdish organization, Amnesty International said today.

(UA305/09) Stop the Forcible Return of Igor Koktysh

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:31:18 EST

Igor Koktysh is a 29 year old social activist that could be forcibly returned at anytime from Ukraine, where he is at risk of the death penalty for fabricated charges.

Ukraine must release Belarusian prisoner of conscience

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Musician and activist Igor Koktysh has been detained for over two years for the peaceful expression of his beliefs. If forcibly returned to Belarus, he could face the death penalty.

The Execution of John Muhammad

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:21:00 EST

UPDATE: Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has denied John Muhammad's request for clemency. This evening Texas and Virginia, the two most prolific executing states in the USA, are both slated to carry out lethal injections. Texas has scheduled an execution for Yosvanis Valle ? a Cuban national ? while Virginia is preparing to put to death John [...]

Hasty executions in China highlight unfair Xinjiang trials

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Following the execution of eight Uighurs and one Han Chinese individual, charged with offences committed during the July riots, the authorities have prosecuted a further 20 suspects.

Iran must halt imminent execution of Kurdish man

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Ehsan Fattahian is to be executed on Wednesday, for his alleged membership of an illegal opposition group. Two other Iranian Kurdish men are also feared to be at imminent risk of execution.

Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 16:30:36 EST

Amnesty International and the new Hampshire Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty will be holding vigils against the death penalty on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month from 12:00 to 1:00 PM.

Saudi Arabia: Foreign Nationals on Death Row in Saudi Arabia

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International is aware of at least 137 people currently on death row in Saudi Arabia, of which 106 are foreign nationals. The true figures are believed to be much higher.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia Executes Three More Foreign Nationals

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International has strongly condemned the beheading of two Sri Lankan nationals and one Indian national in the city of Jeddah this week.

USA: AI Welcomes Introduction of Effective Death Penalty Appeals Act

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Bill Would Provide Critical Options to Death Row Inmates with New Evidence of Innocence.

Texas Ex-Gov Doubts Death Penalty

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:10:00 EST

In a recent interview on NPR, former Texas Governor Mark White discussed his lack of faith in the ability of the legal system to reliably handle death penalty cases, and emphasized the seriousness of handing down an irreversible sentence to a person who may later be proven innocent. While he was Governor, he oversaw a [...]

Belarus: Belarus Man Loses Death Sentence Appeal

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Andrei Zhuk becomes the second person to have his death sentence upheld in Belarus within the last month.

Iran/Turkey: Iranian Refugees Released from Detention in Turkey

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Two Iranian refugees who were refused access to the asylum system in Turkey and unlawfully detained for more than a year have been released.

Docs Won?t Help Ohio Kill

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:37:00 EST

Ohio's botched and failed execution of Romell Broom, which has led to the postponement of all the Buckeye State's execution plans ? at least for this year ? has created another problem for the state. It seems that when you are doing something morally repugnant, like putting a human being to death with lethal chemicals, [...]

Teach-In on the death penalty and the case of Troy Davis

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:55:19 EST

Students of the Phillips Exeter Academy Amnesty International Club will host a Teach-In on the death penalty and the case of Troy Davis on in the Forum on the third floor of the Phelps Student Center on Tan Lane in Exeter, NH.

Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:30:23 EST

Amnesty International and the New Hampshire Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (NHCADP) will be holding vigils against the death penalty on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month from 12:00 to 1:00 PM

Police Chiefs to Death Penalty: Drop Dead

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:59:00 EST

The Death Penalty Information Center released a new study today on the high costs, and lack of real benefits, associated with capital punishment in the United States. The report, called Smart on Crime: Reconsidering the Death Penalty in a Time of Economic Crisis, also includes the results of a poll of 500 randomly selected U.S. [...]

Belarus: UN calls on Belarus to halt execution

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

The United Nations has echoed Amnesty International?s call to halt the imminent execution of a man accused of murdering of six elderly women in Belarus.

Call To Stop Akmal Shaikh's Execution in China (UA 284/09)

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:27:32 EST

British national, Akmal Shaikh, who is believed to be mentally ill, has been sentenced to death in China for drug smuggling. His appeal was rejected, despite the fact that he is mentally ill, he is sentenced to death on 29 October 2009.

USA: Amnesty International Welcomes Comments from Former Texas Governor Mark White on Reconsideration of Death Penalty

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Laura Moye, Director of Amnesty International USA's Program to Abolish the Death Penalty, issued the following comments today in response to media reports that former Texas Gov. Mark White said the death penalty in Texas may need to be reconsidered:

Teach In For Troy!

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:05:40 EST

Join us for a spirited discussion of the problem of innocence in the practice of capital punishment. Laura Moye will be discussing the case of Troy Davis and next steps for AI activists to become involved or push their activism to the next level.

A Pardon 94 Years Too Late

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:43:00 EST

Wednesday, Oct. 14, radio host Tom Joyner became the first person to obtain a posthumous pardon for unjust executions in South Carolina. South Carolina is a typical gung-ho executing Southern state, so this achievement was no small feat. Joyner obtained the pardon on behalf of two great uncles, Thomas and Meeks Griffin, who in 1915 [...]

Stop Execution of Akram Mahdavi (UA 59/08)

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:45:14 EST

Akram Mahdavi, a 35-year old Iranian woman, was to be put to death on 11 October but has received a stay of execution. However, she still faces the death penalty and has not been given the right to seek pardon or commutation of her sentence.

Sister Helen Prejean: Educating against the death penalty

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Sister Helen Prejean gives Amnesty International her personal account on how educating people on the issue of the death penalty can make a difference.

Mongolia: Mongolian death row inmate receives pardon

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Mongolian prisoner Buuveibaatar has had his death sentence commuted after being granted a pardon by the country's President, Ts. Elbegdorj.

Iran: Latest juvenile execution in Iran condemned

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Behnoud Shojaee, a 21-year-old Iranian, has been executed at Tehran's Evin Prison for a murder he was accused of having committed when he was 17.

Iran: Iranian protester's death sentence must be reviewed

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International is urging the Iranian authorities to rescind the death sentence imposed on post-election protester Mohammad-Reza Ali-Zamani.

USA: Texas execution looms after jury consult Bible

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

A Texas man who faces execution after jurors at his trial consulted the Bible when deliberating his fate should have his death sentence commuted, Amnesty International has said.

Iran: Protester death sentence must be reviewed

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International is urging the Iranian authorities to rescind the death sentence imposed on Mohammad-Reza Ali-Zamani, the first person to be sentenced to death in connection with protests following disputed presidential elections.

Demand Clemency for Death Row Prisoner (UAA 218/09)

Thu, 8 Oct 2009 12:54:24 EST

Vasily Yusepchuk, a condemned prisoner in Belarus, is sentenced to be executed on October 12 and has until that time to apply for clemency from the president. The Supreme Court of Belarus rejected his appeal against the death penalty.

Belarus: Imminent execution in Belarus must be stopped

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Ahead of the World Day Against the Death Penalty, Amnesty International has urged the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenka, to grant clemency to a man who may be facing imminent execution.

Vigil Hosted by the New Hampshire Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 16:46:25 EST

NHCADP vigil against the death penalty will be this Friday from noon to 1PM in front of the State House. We vigil on the second and fourth Fridays of each month. I hope you can join us for all or part of the hour. Bring Friends!

Two Reprieves in Ohio!

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

On Monday, October 5, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland granted temporary reprieves to Lawrence Reynolds and Darryl Durr. These reprieves came after the 6th Circuit US Court of Appeals stayed the Reynolds execution pending a November 30 hearing on the botched lethal injection of Romell Broom, whom the state of Ohio tried but failed to execute on September 15. While Amnesty called on Governor Strickland to establish a moratorium on all executions in his state, these reprieves are an acknowledgement that Ohio has serious problems with its death penalty. Thanks to all who took action!

Innocent On Death Row? The Case of Troy Davis

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 16:23:39 EST

Amnesty International of Albany would like to invite you to learn about Georgia death row inmate Troy Davis and his 18 year struggle to prove his innocence.

The Troy Davis Case: A Panel Discussion

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 16:11:31 EST

The Constitutional Argument Against Executing the Innocent

Iran: Iran execution postponement move welcomed

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International has welcomed a move by the Iranian authorities to postpone the execution of an Afghan national accused of commiting a murder while still a child.

Iran: Iran moves to execute man for crime committed when he was 17

Sat, 3 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Iranian authorities are planning to execute a man alleged to have killed when he was only 17 on Monday.

Saturday Night Massacre, Business as Usual, or Both?

Fri, 2 Oct 2009 13:45:00 EST

An important hearing was supposed to take place in Texas today, but on Wednesday, September 30, Texas Governor Rick Perry abruptly replaced three members of the Texas Forensic Science Commission that is currently reviewing the fire investigation that led to the 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham. The Governor took this action two days before the [...]

Ohio Needs a Moratorium on Executions Now

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:36:00 EST

The death penalty is always inhumane, but Ohio?s failed attempt to execute Romell Broom on September 15th was particularly disturbing. During the two-hour ordeal the execution team repeatedly attempted and failed to find a useable vein in which to insert the lethal injection needle, and eventually had to give up. Mr. Broom?s execution has been stayed, [...]

Troy Davis gets visitors in Georgia: Peachy with a side of Keane

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:22:00 EST

By Laura Moye, Death Penalty Abolition Campaign Director This is just a quick note from Savannah, Georgia, where I am right now with a wonderful delegation of folks from the UK who are here visiting to support Troy Davis. Many Amnesty International activists around the world have been working hard on the Troy Davis campaign. AI UK [...]

USA: Campaigner, rock musician and parliamentarian visit Troy Davis

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

An Amnesty International campaigner, a musician and a member of the UK parliament are visiting death row inmate Troy Davis in the US state of Georgia.

Stay of Execution for Kenneth Mosley

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Late on September 23, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the execution of Kenneth Mosley - a death row prisoner from Texas. The Court decision came one day before Mosley's scheduled execution. During Mr. Mosley's trial, his lawyers failed to provide the jury with evidence on his abusive upbringing, on his exposure to toxic pesticides as a child, his possible brain damage, his depression and his use of cocaine to self-medicate. A similar Alabama case (Wood v. Allen) will be heard at the U.S. Supreme Court this November, on the question of inadequate legal assistance during the sentencing phase of a death penalty trial. The high Court's decision in that case will determine the next step in Mr. Mosley's case. We want to thank all of our activists who worked hard to make Mr. Mosley's story heard!

USA: Musician from Best-Selling British Rock Band Keane to Visit Death Row Prisoner Troy Davis in Georgia

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

A musician from best-selling British rock band Keane will join Amnesty International delegates on a visit to Georgia to meet with death row inmate Troy Anthony Davis to highlight his case as he awaits a new chance to have a court hear compelling evidence of his innocence.

Taiwan: Time for justice as Taiwanese prisoner faces 11th retrial

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Taiwan?s High Court has been urged to ensure a fair trail for a death row inmate preparing to face his 11th retrial in 21 years on Tuesday.

It?s Constitution Day! ? But Not in Texas

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:16:00 EST

Today is Constitution Day. On this day, September 17, in 1787, the US Constitution was signed by a group of men known collectively these days as the ?Founding Fathers?. Yesterday, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (TCCA) celebrated a day early by denying relief to Charles Dean Hood despite the fact that the judge and [...]

Indonesia: Indonesia must repeal "cruel" new stoning and caning law

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

The new bylaw endorses stoning to death for adultery and caning for homosexuality. It also forbids alcohol consumption, gambling and intimacy between unmarried couples.

Iran, Ohio, and the Question of Executing the Same Person Twice

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:32:00 EST

In Iran, in January of this year, a man being stoned to death for adultery managed to survive his ordeal by digging his way out of the pit in which he had been buried. According to an Amnesty International report, citing Iran?s penal code, ?if the condemned person manages to escape from the pit, they [...]

U.S. Homicide Rates and the Death Penalty

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:04:00 EST

The FBI?s annual crime report ? Crime in the United States, 2008 ? which was released Monday reveals that, like death sentences and executions, murder rates in the U.S. declined slightly in 2008. This has been the trend for a number of years, as has been the fact that homicide rates vary from state to state, with [...]

Saudi Arabia: Countering terrorism with repression

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Since the 11 September 2001 attacks in the USA, carried out by a group that included Saudi Arabian nationals, and in the wake of bombings and other attacks inside Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabian authorities have imposed a range of counter-terrorism measures that have swept aside embryonic legal reforms and left people in Saudi Arabia almost completely devoid of fundamental freedoms and rights. In this document, which includes case studies, Amnesty International is calling on the Saudi Arabian authorities to stop the endemic abuse of human rights.

Japan: Stop the Execution of Mentally Ill Prisoners, Amnesty International Urgers Government of Japan in New Report

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Japanese government's continued practice of executing prisoners with mental illness is inhuman and must come to an end, said Amnesty International today with the publication of a new report on the treatment of the mentally ill sentenced to death in Japan.

Imminent Execution

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 16:44:00 EST

Kenneth Mosley is scheduled for execution on September 24. He has been on death row for the past twelve years. Mr. Mosley was convicted of killing a police officer while attempting to rob a bank in Garland, Texas on February 15, 1997. If and when he is executed, Mr. Mosley will be among the 200+ victims of the death penalty [...]

Oppose the Death Penalty for Troy Davis

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 08:03:26 EST

Troy Davis has been scheduled for execution three times without ever having a hearing on evidence that he may be innocent. On August 17, the US Supreme Court finally granted him that hearing. While this is welcome news, we must continue to let Georgia authorities know that we support full justice for Troy Davis. Sign the petition today!

Is Justice Scalia a Curmudgeon?

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 19:48:00 EST

Bob Barr thinks so. In his Washington Times op-ed, the former federal prosecutor, Georgia Congressman and Libertarian Presidential candidate, labels Scalia the ?high court curmudgeon? for his dissent from the Supreme Court's order giving Troy Davis to have an evidentiary hearing on his substantial evidence of innocence. Scalia believes, simply, that the Constitution doesn?t protect the [...]

Death Penalty Outrage - Iraqi Style

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 16:31:00 EST

Embedded video from CNN Video On Monday, Amnesty International release a report on the death penalty in Iraq, pointing out that at least 1,000 people are now on death row in Iraq, and 150 of them have exhausted all appeals and could be hanged at any time. The report tells a familiar tale, of how combining [...]

Qatar: Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Seventh session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council, February 2010

Thailand: Thailand carries out first executions in six years

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

Two men convicted of drug trafficking in 2001, have been put to death by lethal injection. They were the first to be executed in Thailand since 2003.

Nigeria: Death row prisoners freed in Nigeria

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

One of Nigeria's most influential states has taken an important step towards abolition of the death penalty by pardoning and releasing three condemned prisoners.

Executed for a crime that never occurred?

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:10:00 EST

In 2004, Cameron Todd Willingham was executed in Texas for setting a fire that killed his three children. He maintained his innocence to the end, and those who looked into his case, including the Chicago Tribune, have concluded that he was in fact wrongfully executed. His was one of the 200+ executions under Rick Perry, [...]

Update: Leonard Peltier Denied Parole

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:30:00 EST

To our deep disappointment, Leonard Peltier was denied parole on Friday, nearly a month after his July 28 parole hearing. In addition to our online action, Amnesty International had sent an open letter to the parole board in early July urging that Peltier be granted parole, and Amnesty continues to call for his immediate release [...]

USA: Denial of parole to Leonard Peltier after more than 32 years in prison, disappointing

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International today regretted the US Parole Commission's decision not to grant Leonard Peltier parole despite concerns about the fairness of his 1977 conviction for murder.

United States:US Supreme Court Order Gives Hope to Troy Davis

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

A US Supreme Court order mandating a new evidentiary hearing for death-row inmate Troy Anthony Davis, has been welcomed by Amnesty International.

Stop the Imminent Execution of Two Prisoners in Belarus (UA 218/09)

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:56:59 EST

Vasily Yuzepchuk and Andrei Zhuk have been sentenced to death for murder. Vasily's lawyer has filed an appeal but Amnesty International is concerned for their lives considering Belarus is the only country in Europe and the former Soviet Union to still carry out executions.

United States:Amnesty International Welcomes Supreme Court Order

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) today welcomed a U.S. Supreme Court order mandating a new evidentiary hearing for death-row inmate Troy Anthony Davis. In a 6-2 ruling, the nation's highest court decided that Davis should have another chance to prove his innocence before the state of Georgia puts him to death.

Racial Justice in North Carolina: UPDATE

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:40:00 EST

Today, North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue signed the Racial Justice Act into law, making North Carolina only the second state in the country to allow death row prisoners to meaningfully challenge their death sentences if racial bias is evident. (Kentucky is the only other state that has adopted similar provisions.) As discussed in my previous post, [...]

North Carolina Racial Justice Act Becomes Law!

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

On August 11, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue signed the Racial Justice Act into law, making North Carolina only the second state in the country to allow death row prisoners to meaningfully challenge their death sentences if racial bias is evident. Historically, race (particularly race of the victim) has been a major factor in who does and does not get death sentences in North Carolina, and 35 inmates on North Carolinaâs death row were put there by all-white juries. Congratulations to the North Carolina Coalition for a Moratorium and all others whose hard work has made the passage of this law a reality!

Prevent Execution by Stoning of Sakineh Mohammadi in Iran (UA 211/09)

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:58:39 EST

Iranian woman, Sakineh Mohammadi is at risk of execution by stoning in Tabriz Prison, western Iran. She was convicted in 2006 or 2007 of "adultery while being married".

Racial Justice in North Carolina

Thu, 6 Aug 2009 15:40:00 EST

On July 15th the North Carolina House voted 61-54 to approve the Racial Justice Act, which, if signed into law, would allow death row prisoners in the state to appeal their sentences if racial prejudice played a role in their sentencing. Last night, the North Carolina Senate approved the legislation, which now goes to Governor [...]

Kenya: 4000 Kenyans on death row get life

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

More than 4,000 prisoners facing execution in Kenya had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment on Monday in the largest commutation in history, news sources reported.

Maryland Lethal Injection Regs for Public Comment

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:20:00 EST

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services recently proposed new regulations for lethal injection procedures. Executions in Maryland have been at a halt since 2005, when a court of appeals ruling found that the execution protocols were illegally adopted. If the regulations are adopted, they will move the state closer to resuming use [...]

Japan: More executions in Japan as other countries reject the death penalty

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

Three men were hanged in Japan on Tuesday 28 July, bringing the total number of executions carried out in the country this year to seven. While other countries reject capital punishment, executions in Japan continue to happen.

Stop Imminent Execution in Mongolia (UA 206/09)

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:20:12 EST

Buuveibaatar, a 33-year-old Mongolian man, is facing execution for murder. He has exhausted all his appeals, and his life will only be spared if Mongolia's president grants him a pardon.

Prevent Death Sentence for Canadian National in Ethiopia (UA 207/09)

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:15:58 EST

Bashir Makhtal, an Ethiopian-born Canadian citizen, was found guilty of terror-related charges on July 27 amid concerns of an unfair trial in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. He is due to be sentenced on August 3 and could be sentenced to death.

Prevent Imminent Execution in Trinidad and Tobago (UA 198/09)

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:51:08 EST

Ronald Tiwarie, a prisoner in Trinidad and Tobago, has now been on death row beyond the five-year limit marking the beginning of cruel and unusual punishment as set by the Privy Council. Ronald will not be safe from execution until his sentence is commuted by the High Court or by a presidential pardon

Troy Davis Case Featured on CNN

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:40:00 EST

Despite the Supreme Court?s summer hiatus, the Troy Davis case continues to make news. Tuesday night on CNN?s Anderson Cooper 360, reporter Gary Tuchman covered the case. His report includes interviews with some of the witnesses who have recanted their trial testimony, and well as one of the jurors who now says she would find Troy [...]

Saudi Arabia - human rights abuses in the name of fighting terrorism

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Saudi Arabian authorities have launched a sustained assault on human rights under the façade of countering terrorism.

Death Penalty for Hate Crimes??

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:47:00 EST

Yesterday the Senate passed four amendments to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, including a provision that would allow the death penalty to apply to hate crimes. This amendment, added by Senator Jeff Sessions, R, AL (a vocal opponent of the Act itself), adds nothing to the justice the bill seeks for victims of [...]

Prevent Imminent Execution of Nine Women in Iraq (UA 195/09)

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:54:05 EST

At least nine women under sentence of death in Iraq are now in imminent danger of execution, as Iraq's Presidential Council has ratified their death sentences. Three other women have already been executed last June.

Yemen sentences six men to death for terrorist activities

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Specialized Criminal Court found the men guilty of terrorist activities that included the killing of nine tourists and attacks on western embassies.

Trial of seven Baha'i religious minority members delayed in Iran

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

The fate of the detainees, who could have faced the death penalty if found guilty, remains undecided after their trial was postponed.

Papua New Guinea must not restart executions

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Papua New Guinea government should abolish the death penalty instead of putting it back into effect, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said in a joint letter.

Iran: Government must stop executions of 14 men

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International urged the Iranian government to halt the public executions, scheduled for Tuesday 14 July, of 14 alleged members of the PRMI (People's Resistance Movement of Iran), also known as Jondallah, a Baluchi armed opposition group.

Sentenced to Death Due to Police Torture

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:42:00 EST

On July 7, Ronald Kitchen became a free man. Convicted of the murder of five people in 1988, he spent over a dozen years on Illinois? death row facing execution, until former Governor George Ryan commuted his sentence, along with all other Illinois death sentences, to life without parole in 2003. But his conviction was [...]

Will the US Seek the Death Penalty in First Trial of a Former Guantanamo Detainee?

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 19:02:00 EST

Last month, Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani became the first Guantanamo Bay detainee to be brought to the United States for trial outside of the military commission system. His trial is set to begin in September 2010 in a regular federal court. While this is hopeful news for other Guantanamo detainees awaiting their day in court, if [...]

Double Tragedies

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 15:31:00 EST

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Murder Victims? Families for Human Rights (MVFHR) released a report yesterday entitled Double Tragedies: Victims Speak Out Against the Death Penalty For People with Severe Mental Illness. These two groups, among the nation?s pre-eminent mental health and victims? rights organizations, have formed a unique partnership to speak [...]

Iranian Human Rights Lawyer Free on Bail, Still At Risk

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 16:22:00 EST

After spending one week at in Evin prison in Tehran, Mohammad Mostafaei -- the attorney famous for defending juvenile offenders in death penalty cases in Iran -- was released on July 1 on a one billion rial bail (more than $100,000). Mostafaei was arrested the previous week for his human rights activism during the Iranian [...]

Teach-In For Troy Davis

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:16:44 EST

Please join the Campaign to End the Death Penalty, Amnesty International and others in a "teach-in" about Troy's case, learning the facts behind this shocking injustice, and debating what the next steps are for a movement to stop Troy's executions - and all executions.

Human Rights / Death Penalty Lawyer Arrested in Iran

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:14:00 EST

In the midst of all of the political and social turmoil in Iran right now, activist and lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei was arrested this afternoon and taken away by plainclothes officers while out with his wife and daughter. The arrest was most likely related to his human rights activites connected with the recent protests, but he [...]

Troy Davis Decision: No Decision

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:50:00 EST

Today, on its last day of work before summer vacation, the U.S. Supreme Court postponed its review of Troy Anthony Davis? case until September. As Amnesty International has repeatedly pointed out, Davis was sentenced to death for the 1989 shooting of a police officer in Savannah in the absence of any physical evidence against him [...]

Prevent the Imminent Execution of Indian National in Pakistan (UA 69/08)

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:20:53 EST

On June 24, the Pakistan Supreme Court rejected Manjit/Sarabjit Singh's second petition to review the death sentence given to him in 1991. Manjit/Sarabjit Singh was arrested in 1990 in Pakistan on charges of having worked for Indian government intelligence.

A Healthy Justice System

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:05:00 EST

As Amnesty International reported yesterday the African nation of Togo became the 94th country in the world to abolish the death penalty for all crimes, and the 15th member of the African Union to do so. In announcing his government?s plans to push for full repeal of capital punishment at the end of last year, Justice [...]

Stop the Death Sentence of 103 Men in Sudan (UA 108/09)

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:30:44 EST

Additional men were aressted and sentenced to death in Sudan making the total 103. All of the men have been sentenced to death due to their participation in an opposition group, the Justice and Equality Movement.

Sensationalist Film Exploits Important Human Rights Issue in Iran

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:02:00 EST

Ordinarily, human rights activists would be pleased when the rare major motion picture shining a light on human rights violations comes along. In fact, aside from documentaries, it is very unusual to see issues that Amnesty International has worked on appear on film. However, sometimes a film can so distort an important human rights issue, [...]

Afghanistan:Abuses at Bagram Must Be Part of Wider Inquiry,Says Amnesty International

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

Interviews with former Bagram detainees by the BBC are a timely reminder of the continuing need for accountability, transparency and for the human rights of those held by the United States in Afghanistan to be fully protected, said Amnesty International today. The organization reiterated its call on the U.S. authorities to establish a full independent commission of inquiry into all aspects of the United States' detention and interrogation regime in what the Bush administration dubbed the "war on terror."

Obama, the Federal Death Penalty, and Race

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:17:00 EST

The death penalty is a difficult issue for just about any politician. Most prefer to avoid it as much as possible. But the time may soon come when President Obama will have to take a stand on this question. In a recent article on Politico.com, Josh Gerstein outlines the challenges that President Obama may face [...]

Togo: Fifteenth country in Africa to abolish the death penalty

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

Togo today decided to abolish the death penalty following a unaninous vote by the national assembly.

Stop Imminent Execution in Saudi Arabia (UA 164/09)

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:46:28 EST

Muhammad Basheer al-Ramaly, age 22, has been sentenced to execution by beheading, followed by crucifixion in which his body and the head are both place on a pole in a public square. Amnesty International believes his trial to have been unfair. He did not have access to a lawyer.

End the Death Penalty for Drug-Related Offenses

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

Joint Statement by The Anti Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN), of which Amnesty International is a member ,Human Rights Watch and the International Harm Reduction Association

A Clear Scientific Consensus that the Death Penalty does NOT Deter

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:26:00 EST

Scientists agree, by an overwhelming majority, that the death penalty has no deterrent effect. They felt the same way over ten years ago, and nothing has changed since then. States without the death penalty continue to have significantly lower murder rates than those that retain capital punishment. And the few recent studies purporting to prove [...]

Prevent Imminent Execution of Four in Saudi Arabia (UA 157/09)

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:59:06 EST

Iraqi nationals Raid Halassa Sakit, Abbas Fadil Abbas, Othman Ali, and Aqil Matsher are at risk of imminent execution for alleged offenses reported to have been committed while they were under the age of 18. They were convicted and sentenced to death after unfair trials. None of the four were given legal assistance or representation, and they were sentenced after secret trials.

UN v. USA re: Death Penalty

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:17:00 EST

On May 26, the United Nations released a report by the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, which highlights, among other things, some of the major flaws in the US judicial system related to the death penalty. The report focuses particularly on the sates of Texas and Alabama, where the research of the [...]

Stop Pending Executions in Iraq (UA 134/09)

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 11:08:14 EST

Death sentences were upheld for 12 people in Iraq. Ten of those facing execution were sentenced under the 2005 Anti-Terrorism Law and two others were sentenced for murder. They could be executed at any time.

Connecticut Is Wrong To Veto Death Penalty Abolition Bill

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 18:12:00 EST

I am extremely disappointed that Governor M. Jodi Rell today vetoed HB 6578, which would have abolished the death penalty in Connecticut. Governor Rell?s veto of this legislation represents a missed opportunity for the state of Connecticut to extricate itself from the useless and costly boondoggle that is capital punishment. Any other policy that wasted valuable [...]

Stop Execution of Mehdi Mazroui in Iran (UA 136/09)

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 10:18:10 EST

Mehdi Mazruoi is a juvenile offender in Iran who is at imminent risk of execution for a crime he is alleged to have committed when he was under 18. Although his execution was temporarily halted on May 29, it may be rescheduled at any time.

USA:Amnesty International Decries Veto

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

In response to Governor Rell?s veto today of HB 6578, Connecticut's death penalty abolition bill, Amnesty International USA Executive Director Larry Cox made the following statement.

A New Hope?

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 19:51:00 EST

Nearly twenty years ago Troy Davis was convicted of killing a Georgia police officer. As has become well known, the case against him has grown weaker and weaker as seven of the prosecution?s nine witnesses have recanted their testimony, many saying that they were coerced by police. Davis? latest stay of execution has now expired, [...]

200th Execution under one Governor

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 17:58:00 EST

With the execution of Terry Lee Hankins last night, Texas Governor Rick Perry has reached a pretty apalling benchmark: 200 executions in his eight and a half years as governor. As in other states, the death penalty in Texas has proven to be ineffective as a deterrent, racist in its application, and extremely costly. Not [...]

Texas carries out 200th execution under current governor

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

Terry Lee Hankins was the 16th person to be executed in Texas this year, out of a national total of 30.

President Obama urged to tackle human rights violations in Saudi Arabia

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

US President Barack Obama begins his trip to the Middle East with a visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

An Execution and Crucifixion in Saudi Arabia

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 19:17:00 EST

On Friday, a ghastly execution took place in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, involving the decapitation and subsequent public crucifixion of Ahmed bin 'Adhaib bin 'Askar al-Shamlani al-'Anzi, who was executed on a number of charges, including murder, abduction and homosexual intercourse. This comes right before President Barack Obama?s trip to the Middle East [...]

USA: As 200th Execution Nears Under Texas Governor Perry, Amnesty International Decries "Shameful Mileston'

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

As Texas approaches its 200th execution under Governor Rick Perry, currently scheduled for June 2, Amnesty International USA Executive Director Larry Cox issued the following statement:

Man beheaded and crucified in Saudi Arabia

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

An "horrific" public execution and crucifixion of a man in Saudi Arabia has been condemned by Amnesty International.

Prevent Execution of Juvenile Offender in Iran (UA 71/08)

Fri, 29 May 2009 16:10:36 EST

Mohammad Reza Haddadi and Naser Qasemi have been sentenced to death for crimes they committed while under the age of 18. The execution of Mohammad Reza Haddadi has been halted but there is still no news regarding Nazer Qasemi who is still being sentenced.

Protect Seven Iranians From Being Stoned to Death (UA 50/09)

Fri, 29 May 2009 15:37:14 EST

Seven Iranians, excluding one member of the group that has already been executed, have been sentenced to be stoned to death for the "crime" of "adultery while being married". Despite attempts at appeals sent to the Supreme Court, Amnesty fears that they may still face execution at this stage.

Protect Seven Men From Death Penalty in Palestinian Territories (UA 135/09)

Fri, 29 May 2009 15:11:48 EST

Seven men in the Palestinian Territories are at risk of execution, sentenced to death by military courts operating under the jurisdiction of the Hammas de-facto administration in Gaza. The proceedings do not meet international standards for fair trial.

G-20 must set the example and clean up their human rights record

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International’s Secretary General has called on the G-20 grouping that brings together the world’s leading economies to lead by example and show real commitment to human rights.

Prevent Execution of Mohammad Reza Haddadi in Iran (UA 71/08)

Tue, 26 May 2009 15:41:40 EST

The execution of Mohammad Reza Haddadi, scheduled to take place July 16, has been postponed, and the Head of the Judiciary is not known to have set a new execution date. This is the fourth time his execution has been postponed. He was sentenced to death for crimes committed under the age of 18.

Prevent Execution of Khalid al-Mahamid in Saudi Arabia (UA 133/09)

Tue, 26 May 2009 15:32:37 EST

Khalid al-Mahamid has been arrested and jailed for drug smuggling and has been sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment and 2,000 lashes. His sentence has been increased to death and can be executed at anytime.

Troy Davis faces fourth execution date in two years

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

US death row prisoner Troy Davis once again faces the prospect of an execution date.

Can We Afford the Death Penalty

Wed, 20 May 2009 10:28:06 EST

Join a conversation on the price we pay for seeking executions. See what you can do to help end the death penalty locally.

Global Day of Action for Troy Davis ? Today!

Tue, 19 May 2009 16:32:00 EST

Today is the Global Day of Action for Troy Davis. Over 150 events in 45 state, DC, Puerto Rico, and 28 countries overseas have been scheduled, demonstrating as clearly as can be demonstrated that the public will not stand for the execution of a man who has had no hearing on evidence that he may [...]

Support for Troy Davis

Tue, 19 May 2009 10:36:31 EST

Please join Amnesty International Local Group 463 as they will be collecting signatures asking for the commutation of Troy Davis.

Troy Davis Rally

Mon, 18 May 2009 11:25:52 EST

Amnesty International Local Group 640 will hold a rally in support of Troy Davis.

Troy Davis Global Day of Action

Thu, 14 May 2009 13:36:58 EST

Amnesty International and the New Hampshire Coaltion to Abolish the Death Penalty (NHCADP) invite you to a Rally to abolish the death penalty and to bring attention to Troy Davis.

Justice Vigil for Troy Davis

Thu, 14 May 2009 12:11:23 EST

Amnesty International Local Group 133 and the Boston Cluster will hold a vigil in support of Troy Davis. Make a difference by calling attention to the injustice of his case.

Justice Vigil for Troy Davis

Thu, 14 May 2009 11:35:06 EST

Amnesty International Local Group 361 will co sponsor a vigil for Troy Davis.

Vigil for Tibet

Thu, 14 May 2009 10:18:16 EST

Amnesty International Local Group 133 is joining with the Tibetan Association of Boston to protest death sentences given by the Chinese government to two Tibetans

Stop the Execution of Troy Davis

Wed, 13 May 2009 10:59:42 EST

Amnesty International Local Group 356 invites you to join them at a candlelight vigil to raise awareness for the case of Troy Davis and to prevent his imminent execution.

Commute Death Sentences of Two in Saudi Arabia (UA 86/08)

Tue, 12 May 2009 16:58:43 EST

Five men, including two who had been convicted of crimes they committed while aged 17, were executed on 10 May. Two other men, Bilal Bin Muslih Bin Jabir al-Muwallad and Ahmad Hamid Muhammad Sabir, who were sentenced to flogging and imprisonment, are at risk of being flogged at any time.

Commute Donald Gilson's Death Sentence (UA 107/09)

Tue, 12 May 2009 16:48:14 EST

On 11 May 2009, Governor Brad Henry rejected a recommendation from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board that he commute Donald Gilson's death sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Donald Gilson is scheduled to be put to death in Oklahoma's execution chamber on 14 May.

Prevent Somalian Woman From Being Executed (UA 123/09)

Tue, 12 May 2009 16:44:16 EST

Ifraah Ali Aden is in imminent danger of being executed for the murder of another woman, Suad Mohamed Aware, who was another of her husband's wives. She was convicted after an unfair trial. The warrant for her execution does not set a date, and it appears that she could be put to death at any time.

Juveniles among five men beheaded in Saudi Arabia

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Two men who were juveniles at the time of their alleged crimes were among five men beheaded in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Day of Justice for Troy Davis

Tue, 12 May 2009 14:48:54 EST

We're asking everybody to come out strong on May 19th â a day marked in human rights calendars across the world as the Global Day of Action for Troy Davis.

Global Day of Action for Troy Davis

Tue, 12 May 2009 12:21:21 EST

Amnesty International invites you to a rally to bring attention to Troy Davis.

Saudi Arabia: Two Juvenile Executions Are "Deplorable Additions to Grim Tally" in Saudi Arabia, Says Amnesty International

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Two men who were juveniles at the time of their alleged crimes were beheaded by Saudi Arabian authorities yesterday (Sunday), Amnesty International revealed today. The death sentences against Sultan Bin Sulayman Bin Muslim al-Muwallad, a Saudi Arabian, and ?Issa bin Muhammad ?Umar Muhammad, a Chadian, were imposed after grossly unfair trial proceedings.

Stand for Troy

Mon, 11 May 2009 15:05:32 EST

Please gather with the Chicago community in a stance against the death penalty - in solidarity with Troy Davis.

Kidnappers face the death penalty in Nigeria's Imo State

Fri, 8 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Under a new bill passed this week, people whose premises are used by a kidnapper to hold someone hostage, would also face the death penalty.

Delara Darabi commemorated at actions against the death penalty in Iran

Fri, 8 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International members around the world took part in actions to pay tribute to Delara Darabi and oppose the death penalty against juveniles in Iran on Wednesday.

Commute Death Sentences of 128 Unnamed Iraqis (UA 67/09)

Thu, 7 May 2009 14:20:45 EST

Amnesty International has learned that the Iraqi authorities executed 12 people on 3 May. The 12 were believed to be among 128 people who had been on death row, and there are fears that more executions will follow in the coming days or weeks.

Twelve people executed in Iraq

Thu, 7 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Iraqi authorities executed 12 people on Sunday, according to information received by Amnesty International. The 12 are believed to be among the 128 people who were on death row.

Nigeria: Imo State death penalty decision puts victims at risk

Thu, 7 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International today expressed dismay at the decision by the Imo State House of Assembly to pass a bill providing for the death penalty for anyone convicted of kidnapping or whose premises are used by a kidnapper to hold someone hostage.

Solidarity Vigil for Troy Davis

Thu, 7 May 2009 11:03:35 EST

Amnesty International will be joining with local and national coalition partners to host an inter-faith service and vigil for Troy Davis.

Concern grows for British woman held in Laos

Wed, 6 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

The case of a British woman facing a possible death sentence in Laos for drug offences highlights a justice system shrouded in secrecy.

Two More Child Offenders Face Execution in Iran Tomorrow

Tue, 5 May 2009 21:52:00 EST

Just five days after the execution of child offender Delara Darabi in Iran, the government there is set to kill two more juvenile offenders tomorrow. This news comes despite widespread international consensus that because of children?s immaturity, impulsiveness, vulnerability and capacity for rehabilitation, their lives should not be written off so permanently ? regardless of the [...]

Commute Death by Stoning in Iran (UA 117/09)

Tue, 5 May 2009 16:11:39 EST

According the Iranian newspaper Ham Mihan, Mohammad Ali Navid Khamami is at imminent risk of stoning to death after being convicted of adultery while being married in the city of Rasht, Gilan Province in northern Iran. No further details are available about his arrest and subsequent trial.

Iran: Stop Wednesday's execution of two juvenile offenders

Tue, 5 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Iranian authorities must halt the execution of two juvenile offenders due to be executed on Wednesday, five days after the execution of Delara Darabi who had been convicted of a crime she was alleged to have committed while still under 18, Amnesty International said today.

Juvenile Offender Executed in Iran This Morning

Fri, 1 May 2009 17:36:00 EST

Amnesty International learned today about the tragic and very unexpected execution of Delara Darabi this morning in Iran. Delara had been given a two month stay of execution by Ayatollah Shahroudi, the head of the Iranian Judiciary, just two weeks ago. Her lawyer and her family had not been informed of the execution, despite the law [...]

Urge Authorities to Commute Death Sentence in Pakistan (UA 302/08)

Fri, 1 May 2009 15:22:51 EST

Zulfiqar Ali Khan is at imminent risk of execution for a crime he says was committed in self-defense. His most recent stay is due to expire on 6 May. He has spent 11 years on death row, during which time he earned a Master's Degree in Political Science and he is currently working on his MBA.

Delara Darabi executed in Iran

Fri, 1 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Iranian authorities executed Delara Darabi on Friday morning, Amnesty International has revealed.

Iran: Outrage at execution of Delara Darabi

Fri, 1 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

This morning, Iranian authorities executed Delara Darabi in Rasht Central Prison.

Call on Governor Henry to Commute Death Sentence (UA 107/09)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:05:02 EST

Donald Gilson is now scheduled for execution on 14 May: he had been scheduled to be put to death on 5 May, but Governor Brad Henry has granted a temporary reprieve while he considers Gilson's case for clemency.

Call on Authorities to Overturn Death Sentences in Sudan (UA 108/09)

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:00:53 EST

Sudanese special courts have sentenced 82 Darfuri men to death for their alleged involvement in an attack on the capital in May 2008. The men's trials were grossly unfair and many confessed under torture.

Obama - Building trust and respect for human rights in the US

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Those who watched Barack Obama take office on 20 January were part of a far-reaching celebration of the once seemingly impossible becoming reality.

Sudan death sentences rise to 82

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

The sentencing of eleven men on Sunday, brings to 82 the number condemned to death for their involvement in the attack against the Sudanese government in Khartoum on 10 May 2008.

Global Day of Action for Troy Davis, May 19

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:10:00 EST

On April 16, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Troy Davis? application for permission to file a new petition in Federal Court. This denial cannot be appealed, but Davis? stay of execution was extended an extra 30 days to allow him to file an ?original? habeas corpus petition with the US Supreme Court. So, Troy [...]

Call for Commutation of Death Sentence in Iran (UA 113/09)

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:09:15 EST

Yunes Aghayan, a member of Iran's Azerbaijani minority and an Ahl-e Haq follower, is at imminent risk of execution. He was convicted of being at "enmity against God," a sentence usually applied to those who take up arms against the state.

Burundi abolishes the death penalty but bans homosexuality

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Burundi the 93rd country in the world to abolish the death penalty for all crimes, while those found guilty of engaging in consensual same-sex relations risk imprisonment.

ACT NOW - Nebraska Death Penatly Bill

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:07:02 EST

We need you to contact your senator today and ask them to VOTE NO ON LB36. Every state senator must hear from the voters of their district!!

Lebanon's politicians urged to focus on human rights in election campaigns

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International has written an open letter to Lebanon's political leaders calling on them to put human rights at the centre of their election campaign.

Sudan sentences another 10 people to death

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Ten men face imminent execution in Sudan after they were sentenced to death by a special court on 15 April.

Delara Darabi's execution postponed for two months

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

The execution of the Iranian woman convicted of murdering a relative when she was 17 has been postponed.

Juvenile offender faces imminent execution in Iran

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Delara Darabi, an Iranian woman convicted of murdering a relative when she was 17, is reported to be facing execution in the next few days.

Troy Davis Petition Denied

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:25:00 EST

Today, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals denied Troy Davis' petition to file a second habeas petition in Federal district court. The decision is here. The vote of the three-judge panel was 2-1. The Court did extend Davis' stay of execution for 30 days to give him a chance to file a habeas corpus petition [...]

USA: Court denies Troy Davis appeal

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International USA condemned in the strongest terms today's 11th Circuit Court decision to deny Troy Davis a second petition for a writ of habeas corpus in the district court.

200 State Sanctioned Killings Under One Governor!

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:58:56 EST

Join Amnesty International and the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty for a 200 minute vigil and rally to mark the impending 200th execution under Governor Perry in Texas.

Brett Hartmann Receives Stay of Execution in Ohio (UA 76/09)

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Brett Hartmann received a stay of execution from the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on 31 March. He was due to be executed in Ohio on 7 April for the murder of Winda Snipes in 1997. Brett Hartmann's lawyers had appealed to the Sixth Circuit to stay the execution and allow them to file a new habeas corpus petition on the grounds that there was new evidence supporting Brett Hartmann's claim of innocence, including their claim that one of the state's key witnesses may have committed perjury when he testified at the trial. The court has stayed the execution at this time, but has not allowed the petition to go ahead under the stringent rules that apply in US federal law to filing successive habeas corpus petitions. The Ohio Parole Board had recommended that Governor Ted Strickland not intervene to stop the execution. The governor, who is not bound by this recommendation, had not made a decision on the case by the time the judicial stay was handed down.

It's Called Discovery

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:38:00 EST

At one point in My Cousin Vinny, Vinny Gambini (Joe Pesci, down in Alabama from Brooklyn to defend his cousins in a capital murder case) decides to go hunting with the prosecutor, in the hopes of maybe sweet talking him into getting a peek at his files. When Vinny returns from the trip, he proudly [...]

Iraq: Hope and fear: Human rights in the Kurdistan region of Iraq

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

This report details a wide range of human rights violations committed in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in recent years. In particular, it sheds light on violations such as arbitrary and prolonged detention without charge or trial, enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment, the death penalty, unfair trials, discrimination and violence against women, and attacks on freedom of expression. It includes case studies to illustrate these abuses and numerous recommendations towards reducing such violations.

Sudan: Nine Men Executed In Sudan Following Unfair Trial

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

On Monday, the Sudanese government executed nine people who may have been innocent

Sudan: Execution Of Nine Potentially Innocent Men Show Flaws Of Death Penalty

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Sudanese government has executed nine people who may have been innocent, said Amnesty International today, in reaction to the killing of nine men convicted of murder after they were tortured to confess to the crime.

Stop These Executions!

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:46:00 EST

Delara Darabi faces imminent execution. Like many sentenced to death in Iran, she was convicted of a crime committed when she was a child. Almost no other country in the world executes juvenile offenders, yet Iran has put 16 of them to death since the beginning of 2007. Iran?s death row continues to house scores [...]

Urge Authorities to Commute Death Sentences of Two Tibetans (UA 97/09)

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 16:31:27 EST

Two Tibetans, Losang Gyaltse and Loyar, were sentenced to death on 8 April in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Losang Gyaltse, Loyar and three others were tried in three separate arson cases. The five were arrested during the unrest in TAR and Tibetan-populated areas in March 2008. According to official reports, at least 81 people have been sentenced in connection with the 2008 protests.

Prevent Execution of Iranian Woman (UA 98/09)

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 16:19:42 EST

Delara Darabis lawyer, Abdolsamad Khorramshahi, fears that his client is at imminent risk of being executed. Delara Darabi has been detained at Rasht Prison, in northern Iran since her arrest in 2003 and sentenced to death for murder for a crime she committed when she was 17.

China: Amnesty International Urges China to Overturn Death Sentences for Tibet Protesters

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International has condemned a decision by a court in Lhasa to hand down death sentences to two Tibetans, Losang Gyaltse and Loyar, accused of starting fatal fires in Lhasa during protests in March 2008.

Prevent Executions of Foreign Nationals in Saudi Arabia (UA 116/07)

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 11:16:00 EST

Two Canadian nationals and one Jordanian national are all at risk of imminent execution. Sultan Kohail, one of the Canadian nationals, is only 17 years old; Saudi Arabia is a state party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibtis the execution of juvenile offenders.

Annual Fast and Vigil to End the Death Penalty

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 15:44:59 EST

Join Amnesty International and the Abolitionist Action Committee for this year's Starvin' For Justice event!

Who Wants To Know?

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 17:08:00 EST

Yesterday, the Seattle Times reported that Washington State?s execution team resigned, out of concern that their identities might be revealed during the course of a pending lawsuit over that state?s execution protocol. This follows the resignation at the end of last year of the chief physician for Washington?s Department of Corrections, who quit out of [...]

Death Penalty Abolished in New Mexico!

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

On Wednesday, March 18, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed into law a bill to abolish the death penalty! New Mexico now becomes the 15th state to outlaw capital punishment, and the 2nd in only two years. Congratulations to the New Mexico Coalition to Repeal the Death Penalty, and to all who have been working so hard there!

Stay of Execution Granted for Brett Hartmann in Ohio

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

On March 31, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit granted a stay of execution for Brett Hartmann, who was scheduled to be put to death by the state of Ohio on April 7. Mr. Hartmann is seeking access to evidence for DNA testing he argues could prove his innocence, and the stay was granted to allow the US Supreme Court to issue a ruling on another case which could determine what kind of rights he has to access such evidence.

Film Screening - "At the Death House Door"

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:02:14 EST

Amnesty International Local Group 550 will host a screening of "At the Death House Door".

Commute Death Sentence of Juvenile Offender in Iran (UA 87/09)

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:34:44 EST

Abumoslem Sohrabi is at risk of imminent execution for a murder committed when he was 17 years old. The judge who issued the original death sentence retracted his ruling in light of evidence that Abumoslem had been a victim of rape and acted in self-defense.

Lobby for Abolition!

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:27:30 EST

Help end the death penalty in Texas!

Bad News, Good News

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:40:00 EST

The bad news is that the United States is still among the top executioners in the world. The good news is that the numbers are down. According to an Amnesty International report released today, the U.S. remains in league with China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iraq as the countries responsible for the most executions [...]

London: List of Abolitionist and Retentionist Countries

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

An average of over three countries a year have abolished the death penalty in law; or, having done so for ordinary offences, have gone on to abolish it for all offences

Death Sentences And Executions In 2008

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

United States: Death Penalty- Media Briefing: Amnesty International's Death Penalty Statistics 2008 -- Case Studies

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Death Penalty: Media Briefing: Amnesty International's death penalty statistics 2008 -- Case Studies

Media Toolkit: Death Penalty in 2008-The Journey Towards Global Abolition Continues

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

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.

Belarus: Ending Executions in Europe-Towards Abolition Of The Death Penalty In Belarus

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Since gaining independence from the USSR in 1991, Belarus has taken significant steps toward ending use of the death penalty

Death Sentences and Executions in 2008 - In Numbers

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

On 24 March 2009 Amnesty International publishes Death Sentences and Executions in 2008, which provides a world overview on the death penalty

Stop Executions in Belarus

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:01:06 EST

Belarus is the last country in Europe and in the former Soviet Union that still carries out executions. Amnesty International estimates that as many as 400 people may have been executed since Belarus gained its independence in 1991. At least four people were executed and one more sentenced to death in 2008. Sign the appeal to ask President Lukashenka to declare an immediate moratorium on executions.

Cruel, discriminatory, unfair and degrading -- the death penalty in 2008

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

More people were executed in Asia than in any other part of the world in 2008. By contrast, in Europe, only one country continues to use the death penalty: Belarus.

Death Penalty: 2,390 executions in 2008 worldwide, 72 per cent in China

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International today revealed that more people were executed in Asia than in any other part of the world in 2008 because China carried out more executions than the rest of the world put together.

USA: Death of 15-year-old raises further concern about safety of Tasers

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

The death of a 15-year-old boy in Michigan after he was s hocked with a Taser gun shows the imperative need for further tests on the safety of the electro-shock weapon, said Amnesty International today.

Scores face execution in Iraq six years after invasion

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

On the sixth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq, nearly 130 people face imminent execution in the country.

New Mexico Abolishes Death Penalty!

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:09:00 EST

Tonight, a little after 6 PM mountain time, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed into law a bill abolishing the death penalty in his state. After weeks of publicly wrestling with the issue (he had in previous years been a supporter of capital punishment), and after several days of widely soliciting public comment - a [...]

USA: New Mexico Abolishes The Death Penalty

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

19 March 2009

New Mexico abolishes the death penalty

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Governor of New Mexico signed into law a bill, abolishing the death penalty in his state, on Wednesday evening.

New Mexico Public Calls In for Abolition

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:18:00 EST

Last night, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's press office issued a press release highlighting that phone calls to his hotline (505-476-2225) on the question of repealing the death penalty were running over 3-1 in favor of abolition. The actual totals were 7169 FOR repeal and 2244 against. The Governor has until midnight (Mountain Time) tonight [...]

Thank New Mexico Leaders for Supporting Abolition

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:04:18 EST

On Wednesday, March 18, 2009, Governor Bill Richardson signed into law a bill to repeal the death penalty in New Mexico. With this bill, sponsored by Representative Gail Chasey, New Mexico has now become only the 2nd state in over 30 years to legislatively abolish the death penalty, and brings to 15 the number of states in the U.S. that are now death penalty free! Write to Gov. Richardson and Rep. Chasey today and thank them for their unprecedented leadership.

USA: Amnesty International Applauds Governor Bill Richardson for Abolishing New Mexico's Death Penalty

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) today applauded New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for signing into law House Bill 285, which legislatively abolishes the death penalty in the state. The human rights organization praised the governor for demonstrating true leadership and eliminating a fatally flawed system that does not deter violent crime.

Death Penalty Teach-in

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:07:10 EST

Students discuss their experiences working on the death penalty.

Religious Perspectives on the Death Penalty

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:00:39 EST

Religious leaders weigh in on our country's captial punishment system.

Discussion on the Death Penalty

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:49:52 EST

Federal Public Defender Jim Moreno will discuss the legal perspective of the death penalty.

Free Film Screening

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:38:48 EST

Join Amnesty International and Lehigh University for a free screening of "Juan Melendez-6446", a film documenting the story of an innocent man on Florida's death row.

Iraq: 128 Executions Planned

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:08:00 EST

On Monday, March 9, the Iraqi government announced to Amnesty International that 128 death sentences have been ratified, and that executions would commence soon at the rate of 20 per week. Exactly who these 128 people are, what crimes they have been condemned for, or how imminent these executions are is not known. It is [...]

Iraq urged to stop the execution of 128 prisoners on death row

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Reports say that the Iraqi authorities plan to start executing the prisoners in batches of 20 next week. Last year at least 285 people were sentenced to death, and at least 34 executed.

USA: Amnesty International Welcomes New Mexico Legislature's Decision to Abolish the Death Penalty

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) today welcomed the passage of House Bill 285, which would abolish the death penalty in the state. The human rights organization praised the legislature for voting to eliminate a fatally flawed and costly system, and urged Governor Bill Richardson to allow the bill to become law.

Write-a-thon to Abolish the Death Penalty

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:40:50 EST

The Amnesty International MTSU Student Group invite you to to write letters to abolish the death penalty!

Film Screening & Discussion

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:33:50 EST

Amnesty International Local Group 149 invites you to a screening of "At the Death House Door". Isaac from TCASK (Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing) will be speaking and leading the discussion.

Iraq: 128 face execution in batches of 20

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International today called for the immediate intervention of Iraq’s Justice Minister to stop the execution of 128 prisoners on death row, amid reports that the authorities are planning to start executing them in batches of up to 20 starting next week.

Amnesty International to publish 2008 global death penalty statistics

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

On Tuesday 24 March Amnesty International will publish its global death penalty statistics, looking at how many people were executed or sentenced to death across the world during 2008.

Human rights activists still face repression in the Middle East and North Africa

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

A new Amnesty International report details numerous cases of intimidation, harassment, threats, detention without trial, torture and long prison terms after unfair trials.

One More Step Forward

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:52:00 EST

Yesterday, the New Mexico Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-5 in support of HB 285, the bill that repeals New Mexico?s death penalty. This is the committee that, in the past, has killed death penalty abolition, so in advancing to the full Senate, this bill has gone farther than it ever has before. It now only remains [...]

Finality

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 15:23:00 EST

The Saturday New York Times story on Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Justice Sharon Keller contains this gem: "We can?t give new trials to everyone who establishes, after conviction, that they might be innocent,? she later told the television news program Frontline. "We would have no finality in the criminal justice system, and finality is [...]

Urge Authorities to Commute Death Sentences in Iraq (UA 67/09)

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 15:19:42 EST

Iraq's Presidential Council has ratified the death sentences of 128 people whose sentences had been confirmed by the Cassation Court, meaning they face imminent execution. The authorities are said to be planning to carry out the executions in batches of 20 a day.

Experts Discuss Oregon's Death Penalty

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 10:35:08 EST

Learn more about the death penalty in Oregon and how we can achieve repeal!

Death Penalty Lobby Day

Fri, 6 Mar 2009 11:03:02 EST

The Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing will be holding their annual Justice Day on the Hill.

Urge Iran to Commute Death Sentence of Juvenile Offender (UA 63/09)

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 17:10:22 EST

Afghan refugee Abbas Hosseini is in danger of execution for a murder committed when he was 17. His death sentence was upheld on 29 December 2008 by Branch 33 of the Supreme Court, and has now been sent to the head of the judiciary for final approval.

An Evening with author Thomas Cahill

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 17:15:45 EST

Hear Thomas Cahill discuss his new book, A Saint on Death Row: The Story of Dominique Green.

An Evening with author Thomas Cahill

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 17:08:47 EST

Join author Thomas Cahill for a discussion on his latest book, A Saint on Death Row: The Story of Dominique Green.

An Evening with author Thomas Cahill

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 16:59:48 EST

Thomas Cahill will discuss his latest book, A Saint on Death Row: The Story of Dominique Green.

Film Screening: "At the Death House Door"

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 16:31:29 EST

Amnesty International invites you to attend a screening of "At the Death House Door".

Death Penalty Abolition in Maryland: UPDATE 2

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 16:12:00 EST

The Maryland Senate this morning voted for a ?compromise? on the bill formerly known as the repeal bill. In this compromise legislation, the death penalty would be restricted to cases where there is either biological or DNA evidence or some type of video evidence (either a video-taped confession or video of the crime itself). Death [...]

Evening with Desmond Tutu and Thomas Cahill

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:04:43 EST

Join Archbishop Desmond Tutu and bestselling historian Thomas Cahill for a discussion about the death penalty.

Death Penalty abolition in Maryland: UPDATE

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 23:37:00 EST

This afternoon, the Maryland death penalty repeal bill was amended on the Senate floor, by a 25-22 vote, so that the death penalty would still be available, except in cases that rely exclusively on witness testimony (as in Troy Davis' case). A second amendment to restrict the death penalty to cases with DNA evidence or [...]

Death Penalty abolition in Maryland is moving forward

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 17:02:00 EST

By procedural votes of 25-22 and then 24-23, the Maryland Senate brought the death penalty repeal bill to the floor where, sometime this afternoon or evening, it will be debated and amendments will be offered. After this morning?s voting it was decided that they would ?play it by ear,? so there is no formal time [...]

A Comprehensive and Visionary Approach

Mon, 2 Mar 2009 20:27:00 EST

Former President Jimmy Carter is the latest to weigh in on the death penalty repeal debate going on in New Mexico. The AP reported that he and his wife Rosalyn wrote a letter to New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson encouraging him to back abolition of the death penalty. Referring to the package of legislation that [...]

Death Penalty Abolition Lobby Day

Mon, 2 Mar 2009 18:10:28 EST

Amnesty International USA is co-sponsor an Abolition Lobby Day. The highlight of the day will be an indoor rally in the rotunda.

Urge Authorities to Commute Executions in Japan (UA 54/09)

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:32:10 EST

Yamaji Yukio and Maeue Hiroshi, 2 of 3 men who were at risk of being executed in Japan earlier this year, were hanged on 28 July. The 3 other men, Shinozawa Kazuo, Zoda Hiroshi and Ogata Hideki are still in imminent danger of execution.

Money for Nothing

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:45:00 EST

The death penalty costs money ? more money than the alternatives ? and, as Wonkette notes ?basically every state in the union is broke?. This is why (or at least one of the reasons why) more states than ever before are having serious death penalty repeal debates. In Kansas, a Republican Senator has filed an abolition [...]

Live from Death Row

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:57:43 EST

The tour features death row prisoners speaking live via speakerphone.

Call on Authorities to Commute Death Sentences in Iran (UA 50/09)

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:58:48 EST

Abdollah Farivar Moghaddam was executed by hanging on 19 February 2009 in Sari Prison in northern Iran. Along with eight others, he had been sentenced to be stoned to death for the crime of adultery while being married. According to Iranian law, adultery while being married carries a mandatory sentence of execution by stoning.

Nigeria: States Urged Not To Execute

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Nigerian state governments have been urged not to extend the death penalty to include kidnapping crimes

Aboliton Lobby Day

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:05:45 EST

Join the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty for a lobby day at the Capitol!

Letter Writing Party Against the Death Penalty

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:50:36 EST

The Amnesty International Philips Exeter Academy Student Group a letter writing party against the death penalty.

Maryland Death Penalty Repeal Lobby Day

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:39:27 EST

On the evening of Monday March 9th AIUSA activists will join forces with other death penalty repeal activists from around the state to lobby the state's elected officials. Sister Helen Prejean will also speak.

Free Showing of "The Green Mile"

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:55:24 EST

Join actor/activists James Cromwell and Mike Farrell for a free screening of this powerful film!

Abolition Action Day

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:40:27 EST

Help Abolish the Death Penalty in Montana!

Law Student Day Against the Death Penalty

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:22:20 EST

Join law students around the country in observance of International Death Penalty Abolition Day!

Prison Warden Turned Abolitionist Speaks Out Against the Death Penalty!

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:47:34 EST

After overseeing executions in Florida, Ron McAndrew now advocates against the death penalty!

Prison Warden Turned Abolitionist Speaks Out Against the Death Penalty!

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:37:07 EST

After overseeing executions in Florida, Ron McAndrew now advocates against the death penalty!

Nigeria: Amnesty International And Civil Society Groups Call On State Government To Reframe From Extending The Scope Of The Death Penalty

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

The organizations are deeply concerned by the expressed intention of Anambra, Enugu and Rivers state governments to extend the scope of the death penalty to make kidnapping a capital offence; and by the legislative amendments in Abia state which provide for kidnapping as a capital offence

Discussion on DNA Evidence and Exonerating the Innocent

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:58:30 EST

Discuss the Use of DNA Evidence in Exonerations

Execution Vans, Organ Harvesting ? Business as Usual in China

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:49:00 EST

For many years, it has been known that China uses execution vans, kind of like specially outfitted ambulances, to more efficiently carry out its exceedingly large number of executions. The method of killing in these vans is lethal injection, which has been slowly but surely replacing the firing squad as China?s preferred means of execution, [...]

Help Keep the Death Penalty out of Alaska!

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:51:29 EST

Attend hearings on a bill to reinstate the death penalty in Alaska.

USA: Amnesty International Urges Governor Kaine To Commute Bell's Death Sentence

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Worldwide membership of Amnesty International appeal to Virginia Governor Tim Kaine to commute February 19th execution of Edward Nathaniel Bell whose consistent claims of innocence and retardation are ignored

The Death Penalty - A System Beyond Repair?

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:56:20 EST

Amnesty International Local Group 566 will host Bob Nave, Exectutive Director CT Network to Abolish the Death Penalty (CNADP) and Amnesty International CT State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator (SDPAC), whose talk will be "The Death Penalty - A System Beyond Repair?".

March with Governor O'Malley for Death Penalty Repeal

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:45:35 EST

Ash Wednesday march with Maryland Clergy. Gather at 10:30 am, march to Lawyers Mall in front of the Statehouse.

Forum on Repeal of the Death Penalty

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:40:12 EST

Matt Campbell, former prosecutor and member of the Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment will discuss the possible repeal of the death penalty in a forum with a death penalty supporter.

Shared Voices Against Capital Punishment

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:39:38 EST

Speakers: Senator Jamie Raskin & Bonnita Spikes (Murder Victim's Family Survivor)

Citizens meeting on the death penalty

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:38:34 EST

Come meet with other citizens of Maryland to discuss death penalty repeal.

South Korea: South Korea must not resume use of the death penalty

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

The South Korean government is deciding whether or not to resume its use of the death penalty, following the arrest of a man for the alleged murder of seven women.

South Korea: Possible resumption of executions in the Republic of Korea

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

In this open letter Amnesty International urges the President not to reverse South Korea's recent practice by carrying out the death penalty. The organization understands that the Government of the Republic of Korea may be taking steps towards the resumption of executions. This would ignore the global trend towards abolition of the death penalty.

State Killing in the Caribbean

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:47:00 EST

The Caribbean. Beautiful sun-drenched beaches. Palm trees swaying in ocean breezes. Snorkeling. Scuba diving. Fruity rum drinks. Etc. Those who see the Caribbean as a fabulous tourist destination aren?t inclined to spend much time dwelling on the criminal justice systems of these island nations. They might have a sense that there is a crime problem, [...]

Prevent Execution of Businesswoman Du Yimin in China (UA 42/09)

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:16:50 EST

Du Yimin was convicted of "fraudulent raising of public funds" and sentenced to death. Her appeal was rejected on January 13, and her sentence will now be reviewed by the Supreme People's Court. If it upholds her sentence, she could be executed within days.

Judicial Proceedings Committee Hearing on Death Penalty Repeal

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:27:53 EST

Show your support for an end to the Death Penalty in Maryland! The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will hold hearings on SB 279, a bill to repeal the state's death penalty. These hearings are open to the public. Don't forget to wear white so the Senators can see the large turnout, which will send a message that we demand a repeal!

Call for Fair Trial of Death Row Inmates in St Kitts and Nevis (UA 36/09)

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:49:32 EST

Lewis Gardner, Sheldon Isaac, Romeo Cannonier, Ruedeney Williams, Travis Duport, Evanson Mitcham, and Warrington Philips, who make up the entire population of death row on St Kitts and Nevis, may now be in danger of being put to death, as the island recently carried out its first execution in 10 years.

Death Penalty Debate in States Heats Up

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:46:00 EST

UPDATE: The New Mexico House of Representatives passed the death penalty repeal bill, by a vote of 40-28. Today the New Mexico House of Representatives will be debating and possibly voting on a bill to abolish the death penalty (HB285). This is but one of a stream of bills to repeal or limit the death penalty [...]

Human rights violations persist in Iran 30 years after Islamic revolution

Mon, 9 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Ayatollah Khomeini promised that all Iranians would be free. However, the past 30 years have been characterised by persistent human rights violations.

Demand Justice for Troy Davis

Mon, 9 Feb 2009 17:09:17 EST

Join indie-rock group State Radio for protest in Atlanta!

Call to Commute Death Sentence of Juvenile Offender in Iran (UA 252/08)

Fri, 6 Feb 2009 16:12:00 EST

Bahman Salimian was scheduled to be executed on February 5, and although that execution was halted, it is feared that it could be rescheduled at any time. Although under Iranian law lawyers should be informed of an execution at least 48 hours in advance, this prior notification does not always take place.

Hearings on Death Penalty Bill

Fri, 6 Feb 2009 14:30:04 EST

Support abolition of the Death Penalty in Kansas!

Help Repeal the Death Penalty in New Hampshire

Thu, 5 Feb 2009 17:29:25 EST

Come attend hearings in the NH House of Representatives!

Death Penalty Hearings in NH House

Thu, 5 Feb 2009 15:52:29 EST

Please attend Death Penalty Hearings in New Hampshire House of Representatives and call your Representative.

Powerful New Video to Save Troy Davis

Wed, 4 Feb 2009 16:46:00 EST

Indie rock group State Radio has joined forces with Amnesty International USA to create a powerful new video about the case of death row inmate Troy Anthony Davis. Davis faces execution in the state of Georgia, despite compelling evidence that he may be innocent. Watch the video and then take action for Troy!

Vigil Against the Death Penalty

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 15:24:05 EST

The Amnesty International Shenandoah University Student Group will hold a vigil for Edward Nathaniel Bell who is scheduled to be executed by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Alternative Spring Break - Abolish the Death Penalty!

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 11:43:00 EST

This Spring Break, become a part of the next generation of human rights leaders!

Call for Death Sentence to be Commuted in Iran (UA 252/08)

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:18:55 EST

Bahman Salimian is at imminent risk of being executed for a crime committed when he was 15 years old. Originally sentenced to five years' imprisonment and a fine, Salimian's sentence was overturned and he was sentenced to death even though he was a juvenile when the crime was committed.

Death Penalty Abolition in the States: It Begins

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:10:00 EST

Today, the first important committee hearings on state abolition bills will be held: one in New Mexico (HB285) and one in Nebraska (LB306). Nebraska legislators will also be considering a bill to introduce lethal injection as the method of execution (LB36), since Nebraska?s sole method of state killing, the electric chair, was declared unconstitutional last [...]

Cameroon: Impunity underpins persistent abuse

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

Help End the Death Penalty in Missouri!

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:48:47 EST

Moratorium Lobby Day

Road Trip for Justice!

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:46:02 EST

Come hear from activists about the death penalty.

USA: Building trust and respect for human rights

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

Those who watched Barack Obama take office on 20 January were part of a far-reaching celebration of the once seemingly impossible becoming reality.

USA: Obama - a chance to build respect for human rights

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

In his inaugural address, President Barack Obama rejected as "false" the choice between safety and respect for human rights.

Panel on the Death Penalty and Race

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:48:55 EST

Equal Justice for All?

Committee Hearing on the Death Penalty

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:21:27 EST

Help repeal the death penalty in New Mexico!

Larry Swearingen Granted a Stay of Execution (UA 17/09)

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

On January 26, Larry Swearingen was granted a stay of execution by a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the federal court one level below the US Supreme Court with jurisdiction over Texas cases. He was scheduled to be put to death in Texas on the evening of January 27. Swearingen was sentenced to death in 2000 for the murder of Melissa Trotter in 1998. He maintains his innocence of the murder and several forensic experts have provided statements and testimonies that support his claim.

The Question of Innocence: A "Brooding Omnipresence"

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:38:00 EST

In Texas, Larry Swearingen has been granted permission by the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to file another writ of habeas corpus in Federal District Court. This is similar to the permission for which Troy Davis has appealed in the 11th Circuit. Swearingen has a pretty strong innocence claim: all the forensic [...]

CSI: Texas Style

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:24:00 EST

Larry Swearingen has received a stay of execution. He was one of 14 prisoners scheduled for execution in Texas between the beginning of this year and early April. (Of those 14, three ? all African American ? have already been put to death, and the other ten are all either African American or Hispanic.) For Swearingen, forensic [...]

LIVE From Death Row - Troy Davis

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:53:29 EST

The Campaign to End the Death Penalty's national tour will be coming to American University!

Troy Davis: Live From Death Row

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:01:37 EST

Georgia death row prisoner Troy Davis will call in LIVE to speak with audience members about his case and the fight against the death penalty.

Prevent Execution of Iraqi Nationals in Saudi Arabia (UA 20/09)

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:55:47 EST

At least 15 Iraqi nationals are feared to be at imminent risk of execution in Saudi Arabia. They have all been sentenced to death for various charges, and all were beaten until they confessed to those accusations. All claim to be innocent; none have been allowed access to a lawyer since their arrests.

Urge for Halt to Execution of Prisoner in Saudi Arabia (UA 21/09)

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:28:41 EST

Mohammed Abdul Amir is at imminent risk of execution after being convicted of a 1995 murder. He confessed to the crime after three months of interrogation where he was allegedly beaten and sustained injuries.

Call for Death Sentence to be Commuted in Iraq (UA 19/09)

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:24:55 EST

Ibrahim Karim Mohammed al-Qaragholi has been sentenced to death for kidnapping and killing 3 US soldiers. His trial appears to haved failed to meet international fair trial standards.

Capital Punishment Reform Study Committee Hearing

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:35:50 EST

In 2003, upon passing a series of reforms to the death penalty, the Illinois legislature created the committee to assess the progress of the reforms. Come join the abolitionist community at a public hearing and provide testimony to tell the Capital Punishment Reform Study Committee why no reforms will ever "fix" the Illinois death penalty.

Uganda: Mandatory death penalty ruled unconstitutional in Uganda

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Supreme Court of Uganda has ruled however, that the death penalty per se remains constitutional.

Death Penalty Speaker Series

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:44:16 EST

Join Hood College for their Speaker Series - Voices for Change: Death Penalty Repeal

Support an End to the Death Penalty!

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:31:12 EST

Join Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty in supporting legislation to end capital punishment.

Death Penalty Conference

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:15:27 EST

Join TCADP for their annual Death Penalty Conference!

Celebrate Alternatives to the Death Penalty!

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:53:25 EST

Join a party to celebrate the alternative sentences available for capital trials.

Death Penalty Colloquium

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:50:54 EST

The Past, Present, and Future of the Death Penalty

Forum on the Death Penalty

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:29:02 EST

Join a candid discussion on the current state of Georgia's Death Penalty!

Maryland Abolition Takes Another Step Forward

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:28:00 EST

Maryland Governor Martin O?Malley has announced, via a Washington Post article among other places, that he intends to personally sponsor a death penalty repeal bill and will ?do ?everything in [his] power? to abolish capital punishment in Maryland.? This doesn?t mean ending the death penalty in Maryland will be easy, but a serious investment of that [...]

Prevent Death by Stoning in Iran (UA 10/09)

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:35:49 EST

Gilan Mohammadi and Gholamali Eskandari have been sentenced to death by stoning for charges of adultery. The Head of the Judiciary declared a moratorium on executions by stoning in 2002, yet sentences of death by stoning continue to be carried out.

Fifty-three death sentences commuted in Zambia

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

The President of Zambia has commuted the death sentences of 53 prisoners to custodial sentences.

Iran: New executions demonstrate need for unequivocal legal ban of stoning

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International deplores the execution by stoning of two men -- Houshang Khodadadeh and another unidentified man - in Mashhad, north-east Iran, probably on 26 December 2008 and urges the authorities to declare an immediate and effective moratorium on executions by stoning, including in the cases of the ten people currently known to be at risk of stoning to death

Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty Meeting

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:46:38 EST

Learn more about legislative efforts to end the death penalty!

Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty Meeting

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:37:16 EST

Learn about legislative efforts to end the death penalty in Nebraska!

An Impending Three-Month Spree

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:58:00 EST

Starting tomorrow (Jan. 14), Texas will embark on a three-month spree of executions in which 14 men (one of them white) will be put to death. Later this year, perhaps as early as late April, Texas will probably carry out the 200th execution under Governor Rick Perry. This is an appalling number, particularly given what [...]

USA: Amnesty International Calls Spate of Texas Executions ?Shameful and Reckless?

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

As Texas prepares to execute 14 men in fewer than three months, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) called on the state to halt this spate of executions, describing it as being out of step with current capital punishment trends.

Prevent Forcible Return for Iranian Men to Iran (UA 03/09)

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:55:40 EST

Shaheed 'Abdulhussain 'Abbas 'Amouri, Mohammed 'Ali 'Abdulzahra Hamad 'Amouri and Naji 'Aboud Obidawi are at risk of being forcibly returned from Iraq to Iran where they would face torture or even the death penalty.

Death sentences commuted in Ghana -- time for abolition

Fri, 9 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

The outgoing President of Ghana, John Kufuor, commuted all death sentences in the country.

Ghana's new President must commit to human rights

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

Professor John Evans Atta Mills must make human rights central to his political programme. In a new document, Amnesty International has highlighted seven key human rights issues that require his attention.

March for Troy Davis!

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 16:41:58 EST

Support Troy Davis at MLK March

Action for Clergy and Congregational Leadership in Maryland

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 17:19:34 EST

Religious Leaders - Help Repeal the Death Penalty in Maryland!

End the Death Penalty in New Mexico

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 17:17:29 EST

Join the New Mexico Repeal Day!

End the Death Penalty in Georgia

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 17:14:55 EST

Join the Moratorium Lobby Day!

Texas' Reluctant Jurors

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:13:00 EST

Today, Time wonders if Texas is "Changing its Mind About the Death Penalty." There is ample evidence that something is happening. According to the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP) year-end report, there were only 11 death sentences in the Lone Star state in 2008, and a grand total of Zero in Harris [...]

Demand Investigation Into Beatings in Iranian Prison (UA 147/08)

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:59:45 EST

On November 24, prison guards entered Farzad Kamangar's cell in Evin prison, beat him, threatened him with execution and took him out of his cell. Later that day, another prisoner reported seeing him in the prison clinic, apparently unconscious.

Prevent Imminent Execution in Indonesia (UA 346/08)

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:23:25 EST

Jurit bin Abdullah and Ona Denis are in imminent danger of execution. The Deputy Attorney for General Crimes told the Indonesian news agency Antara that the executions would be carried out before the end of the year.

One of These Is Not Like the Other

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:45:00 EST

(A) A white millionaire and (B) an indigent black man ? Same state ? Both convicted of capital murder ? Which one do you think gets the death penalty? If you answered (B) - and I know you did - then, of course, you?re right. In the state of New Hampshire, which hasn?t carried out an execution [...]

Growing calls for end to executions at UN

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Over one hundred countries voted overwhelmingly in favour of a second resolution on "Moratorium on the use of the death penalty" at the United Nations on Thursday.

New Jersey: One Year Ago Today

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:57:00 EST

One year ago today, Dec. 17, 2007, New Jersey Gov. John Corzine signed into law the bill abolishing the death penalty in New Jersey. It was the first time in 42 years that a state had legislatively ended capital punishment (Iowa and West Virginia did it in 1965), and made the Garden State the 14th [...]

Death Penalty Discussion

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:43:03 EST

As the Maryland General Assembly gears up for another hectic session, join us for a conversation on the death penalty,

Maryland Commission Calls for Abolition

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:25:00 EST

Today, the Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment made it official, formally recommending in its Final Report that Maryland repeal the death penalty. The report?s final recommendation concludes: ?For all of these reasons?to eliminate racial and jurisdictional bias, to reduce unnecessary costs, to lessen the misery that capital cases force victims of family members to endure, to eliminate [...]

Prevent Execution of Two Men in Iraq (UA 341/08)

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:15:02 EST

Majeed Ibrahim Hamo and Saeed Khalil are at risk of imminent execution. The men's death sentences are now with Mas'ud Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government and could be ratified and implemented at any time.

Capital Punishment Slowing Down

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:55:00 EST

The Death Penalty Information Center has released its Year End Report (pdf) for 2008. It reveals clearly that the trend towards growing skepticism and diminishing (and more regional) use of capital punishment is continuing. There were 37 executions in 2008, the lowest total since 1994, and there were only 111 death sentences passed. For the [...]

Are Last-Minute Stays of Execution a Form of Torture?

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:55:00 EST

The practice of ?mock execution?, where prisoners are led to believe they are going to be killed by their captors, only to be spared at the last minute, is widely recognized as a form of torture. So when a scheduled execution is stayed at the last minute, does that constitute torture? Last week in Iran, an [...]

Benefit for Death Penalty Documentary

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:06:11 EST

Benefit the Shae Foundation's filming of "The Death of Reasonable Doubt", a feature length documentary film inspired by the case of Troy Davis.

Troy Davis: 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to Hear Oral Arguments TODAY

Tue, 9 Dec 2008 16:51:00 EST

At 1 p.m. today, the federal appeals court in Atlanta will hear oral arguments in the case of Troy Anthony Davis. Davis? conviction in the killing of a police officer in Savannah was based solely on eyewitness testimony, and since trial seven of the nine eye-witnesses have recanted or contradicted their testimony. You can read [...]

Do Desperate Times Really Call For Desperate Measures?

Fri, 5 Dec 2008 22:16:00 EST

Recently, lawmakers in Mexico have proposed reinstating the death penalty to deal with rising kidnapping and murder rates. According to the LA Times, lawmakers will hear arguments regarding this amendment to the constitution next week. Talk of executing criminals in Mexico has become more frequent by some politicians as the number of unsolved kidnappings, many [...]

Africa: African Commission calls for a moratorium on the death penalty

Fri, 5 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

In an important step towards making the African Union (AU) a totally death penalty-free zone, the African Commission calls on African States to observe a moratorium on the death penalty.

Inmate ordered off death row in North Carolina

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 18:09:00 EST

Clinton Smith, a man sentenced to die in 1998 for the death of his daughter, was ordered off death row last week by state Supreme Court judge John Jolly, Jr. Mr. Smith cannot read or write and has an IQ of less than 70. He was found to be mentally retarded and, therefore, ineligible for [...]

Is it worth the risk, Maryland?

Tue, 2 Dec 2008 22:39:00 EST

When testifying before state lawmakers in 2007, Maryland Governor Martin O?Malley asked ?Can the death penalty ever be justified as public policy when it inherently necessitates the occasional taking of wrongly convicted, innocent life?? According to Michael May, a former military and Baltimore City police officer, the answer is no. In an op-ed in today?s [...]

Prevent the Execution of Former Government Officials in Iraq (UA 160/07)

Tue, 2 Dec 2008 16:52:06 EST

On 2 Dec. 2008 two senior former officials in Saddam Hussain's government were sentenced to death for their role in the killing of thousands of people during the 1991 anti-government uprising in southern Iraq. Without intervention from the Appeals Chamber, they will be executed within 30 days.

Iraq: "Chemical Ali" sentenced to death a second time

Tue, 2 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Two senior former officials in Saddam Hussein's government were sentenced to death on Tuesday.

Halt the Execution of Nine Men in Sudan (UA 302/07)

Mon, 1 Dec 2008 17:38:08 EST

On 23 October, a council of Supreme Court judges confirmed the death sentences of nine people found guilty of the murder of newspaper editor Mohamed Taha, and sentenced to death by a first instance court in November 2007.

Stop the Execution of Two Men and One Minor in Saudi Arabia (UA 116/07)

Mon, 1 Dec 2008 14:42:18 EST

The death sentences against Canadian Mohamed Kohail and Jordanian Mehanna Sa'd have been confirmed. If approved by the Supreme Judicial Council, they could be executed at any time. 17 year old Sultan Kohail is still awaiting retrial at a General Court and is also at risk of execution.

UN: Draft resolution A/C.3/63/L.19/Rev.1 on moratorium on executions

Mon, 1 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

On 20 November 2008 the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly adopted by a large majority a second draft resolution (A/C.3/63/L.19/Rev.1) on moratorium on executions. The increased support for this resolution is yet further evidence of the worldwide trend towards the abolition of the death penalty.

Performance of The Exonerated

Mon, 1 Dec 2008 11:39:48 EST

Join the New Mexico Coalition to Repeal the Death Penalty and others for a performance of "The Exonerated".

Circles of Healing: An Exploration of the Spiritual Health of a Community That Executes

Mon, 1 Dec 2008 11:37:58 EST

As execution dates approach, please join the Capital Restorative Justice Project for a day of learning, sharing, listening, and moving forward.

China, Iran, Jamaica: China, Iran and Jamaica go against trend on executions

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

The execution of a Chinese scientist on Friday is the latest in a series of executions that are going against the global trend towards a moratorium on the death penalty.

Washington Execution Stayed

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:20:00 EST

Two separate courts (a County Superior court and a Federal District court) have issued stays of execution for Darold Stenson, who was scheduled to be put to death by the state of Washington on December 3. According to media reports, these stays will be appealed by state and county officials who are still hopeful that the [...]

Prevent the Execution of a Man in Saudi Arabia (UA 324/08)

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:45:28 EST

'Abdullah Fandi al-Shammari's execution was scheduled for mid-November, following an intervention by the Crown Prince, he was granted a 30-day reprieve so his family could seek pardon from the family of the person he was convicted of killing. He is now due to be executed within 20 days.

Jamaica: More executions will not reduce crime

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Jamaica’s crime epidemic must be solved with reforms to the police and the justice system, not with more death, said Amnesty International after the Jamaican House of Representatives voted a motion to retain the death penalty.

China: Amnesty International Urges China to Stop the Execution of Wo Weihan

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International today called on the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to pardon 59 year-old medical scientist Wo Weihan, echoing his daughter's concerns about the fairness of his trial and conviction.

People's Republic of China: Stop the execution of Wo Weihan

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International today called on the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress to pardon 59 year old medical scientist Wo Weihan, echoing his daughter’s concerns about the fairness of his trial and conviction.

Vigil for Troy Davis

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:33:51 EST

Help us call for justice and show support for Troy Davis! We will have signs and buttons to give out, as well as a limited number of t-shirts.

Screening of

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:32:47 EST

The Amnesty International University of Texas at San Antonio Student Group will host a screening of "At the Death House Door".

Death Penalty Discussion Panel

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:32:27 EST

Please join Amnesty International and Stetson University Law School for a split panel debate on capital punishment.

Innocence Symposium

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:29:49 EST

Students for the Innocence Project & the Black Law Students Association of William & Mary Law School present the First Annual Innocence Symposium from 12:45 pm to 7:30 pm.

No Rational Explanation

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:57:00 EST

The death penalty isn?t as popular out West as it is down South. For example, there hasn?t been an execution in Washington since 2001, and there have been only four total in the 30+ years since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Not that there are never any serious crimes in The Evergreen State. Gary [...]

No Rational Explanation

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:57:00 EST

Prevent Two Executions in Saudi Arabia (UA 309/07)

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:24:15 EST

Indian nationals Sheikh Mastan and Hamza Abu Bakir have exhausted all possible appeals against their death sentences. The sentences are now awaiting the approval of the Supreme Judicial Council, headed by the King. If the sentences are approved, the two men could be executed within days.

How Will YOU Celebrate Human Rights Day?

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:17:00 EST

Now, the outgoing Bush administration?s plans for celebrating Human Rights Day ?08 can finally be revealed! On December 10, they are going to carry out the first U.S. Military execution in 47 years, when they put Ronald Gray to death by lethal injection. According to CNN and several other media sources, Private Ronald Gray, a former [...]

How Will YOU Celebrate Human Rights Day?

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:17:00 EST

It's Separation of Church and State, Stupid

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:01:00 EST

Not persecution of the Church by the State. Unfortunately for Patriarch "Abune" Antonios of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the government of Eritrea doesn't think that way. Considered a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty, he has been under house arrest since January 2006 after continually resisting government interference in religious affairs. Minority faith groups such as the [...]

It's Separation of Church and State, Stupid

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:01:00 EST

Tireless witness to state killing

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

An interview with Sister Prejean, Roman Catholic nun, formidable campaigner against the death penalty and author of the Pulitzer Prize nominated book, Dead Man Walking.

Troy Davis Gets Hearing

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:53:00 EST

The U.S. Court of Appeal for the Eleventh Circuit has scheduled oral arguments for December 9 in the case of Troy Davis. This was something that Davis? lawyers requested, and that the state of Georgia argued against. The main question before the Court will be whether Davis has met the conditions required to file a second, [...]

Troy Davis Gets Hearing

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:53:00 EST

You're Free to Go Now...Just Kidding!

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:17:00 EST

Can someone please explain this to me? How is it OK to arrest someone, send them to Guantánamo, keep them there a couple years, clear them for release, and then not let them leave? Among all the things that confuse and upset me about the way the US government has dealt with the detainees at [...]

UN reinforces call to end executions

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Over 100 countries have adopted a second United Nations resolution calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

UN General Assembly reinforces call for moratorium on executions

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International welcomes today’s adoption by the General Assembly’s Third Committee of a second resolution calling for a worldwide moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

UN: Majority support expected in UN vote on death penalty moratorium

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

A large majority of states from all regions are expected to back a second resolution by the UN General Assembly (Third Committee) on Thursday calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

"? whether Davis may be executed if he can establish actual innocence ?"

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:24:00 EST

This is one of the questions before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, in Atlanta, which is currently considering Troy Davis? petition for permission to try again to get a hearing on evidence that he is innocent. The fact that executing someone even if they ?establish actual innocence? is up for debate demonstrates how far [...]

Film Screening - "At the Death House Door"

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:26:45 EST

Amnesty International Local Group 10 will host a screening of "At the Death House Door".

Vigil for Troy Davis

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:13:43 EST

There will be a vigil for Troy Davis at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign at 8:00 p.m.

Center on Wrongful Convictions 10th Anniversary Celebration

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:11:00 EST

Northwestern University School of Law event featuring a cocktail reception followed by the off-broadway hit, "The Exonerated", with actual exonerees playing themselves.

Forced Eviction in the Name of Progress?

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:22:00 EST

How many times, in how many countries, in how many cities, have we heard this story? Governments try to force poor people off land they've lived on for years, sometimes decades, so that it can be developed and put to "better use". Who cares if they're shoving people into slums with no running water or [...]

Can the Death Penalty Cause Wrongful Convictions?

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:30:00 EST

Yes. It happened most recently in Nebraska, where 6 men were sentenced to various prison terms for involvement in a murder they had nothing to do with, because some of them ?confessed? after being threatened with the death penalty. DNA tests have ultimately exonerated them all, revealing that, according to the Lincoln Journal Star, the [...]

Poetry and Hip-hop Benefit for Troy Davis

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:28:52 EST

Poets for Political Prisoners presents "Free Troy Davis", a benefit which will launch the creation of The Troy Anthony Davis Scholarship Fund.

Maryland Commission Votes for Death Penalty Repeal

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:59:00 EST

On Wednesday, the Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment voted to recommend repealing the death penalty in Maryland. The Commission was created by the Maryland General Assembly to conduct a thorough study of capital punishment in that state. After five public hearings and hours of testimony from both experts and the general public, the Commission determined [...]

Afghanistan: Afghanistan moves towards a wide use of executions

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

The Afghan government executed nine people last week. President Hamid Karzai has recently approved death sentences for at least another 111.

Commission Recommends Repeal in Maryland

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

On November 12, the Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment voted to recommend repealing the death penalty in Maryland. On December 12, the Commission issued that recommendation in their Final Report. The Commission was created by the Maryland General Assembly to conduct a thorough study of capital punishment in that state. After five public hearings and hours of testimony from both experts and the general public, the Commission determined that Maryland's death penalty is racially and geographically biased, more expensive, harmful to victims' families, and not a deterrent. The Commission also concluded that there is a "real possibility" of executing an innocent person in Maryland. The solution to these fundamental flaws, the Commission found, is to repeal the death penalty.

"A Hole in the Law?"

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:54:00 EST

Earlier today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Bell v. Kelly, a Virginia case that has important implications for death penalty litigation. The issue in the case is complex. Under federal law, federal courts are required to give great deference to state court rulings on claims raised in a federal habeas petition that have already been [...]

A presidential pardon would not preclude accountability

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:11:00 EST

The worth of a law is in its enforcement; if a law is not enforced, then it has no more value than a platitude, aspiration, or preference. Because of this reason, one of AIUSA?s CTWJ campaign goals 100 days goals for the new administration is ?accountability.? Or in other words, AIUSA will demand that the [...]

Afghanistan: Stop Move Toward Wide Use of Executions

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

The Afghan government must immediately repeal the death sentences against 111 people who are on death row, Amnesty International said today, following reports of the execution of nine people since last week, which may signal further executions ahead.

Suicide By Court

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:38:00 EST

On November 21, Kentucky is set to execute Marco Allen Chapman, who was sentenced to death for the murder of two children in 2002. He rejected efforts to defend him at trial, and has refused to pursue any appeals. Since the moment of his arrest, when he asked police to shoot him in the head, [...]

Battling Impunity in Guatemala

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:12:00 EST

Excavating human remains, using forensic techniques to identify them, hoping the evidence will help bring the killers to justice--it may sound fascinating and even glamorous to some, but this is no "CSI Miami". These investigators have been threatened, followed, watched, and shot at on many occasions because of their work to combat impunity. The Guatemalan [...]

Bali Bombers Executed

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:15:00 EST

On Saturday, November 8, Indonesia executed three men (Amrozi bin H. Nurhasyim, Ali Ghufron, aka Mukhlas, and Imam Samudera) known as the ?Bali Bombers?, because of the bombings for which they were convicted on the island of Bali which killed over 200 people, many of them tourists from Australia. The days leading up to these [...]

Indonesia: Make today's executions the last

Sat, 8 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Today's execution of three people known collectively as the “Bali Bombers” should be the last time Indonesian authorities use the death penalty, said Amnesty International.

The Dangerous Act of Raising a Flag

Fri, 7 Nov 2008 23:02:00 EST

With all the patriotic spirit and flag-waving (and questions about lapel pins) that we've been seeing lately surrounding the Presidential election here in the United States, it can be easy to forget just how powerful a symbol a flag can be, and how heavy a price can be exacted for raising the wrong one. But [...]

Why Does New Hampshire Have the Death Penalty?

Thu, 6 Nov 2008 22:31:00 EST

A jury in New Hampshire has just sentenced a white millionaire businessman named John Brooks to life without parole for the capital murder of Jack Reid in 2005. This was New Hampshire?s first death penalty trial in 49 years; New Hampshire has no one on death row and has not carried out an execution since [...]

A Success Story on a Small Island

Thu, 6 Nov 2008 19:36:00 EST

In the middle of all the interest in the American election, there was an election halfway around the world last week that got me thinking about a brave young woman from the Maldives named Jennifer Latheef. I met her at an Amnesty meeting two years ago where she spoke at a panel of former prisoners of [...]

There Is No Justification In Keeping Gitmo Open

Thu, 6 Nov 2008 00:33:00 EST

Below is my reply on the Wall Street Journal?s Opinion Piece of Nov. 4, 2008: Guantanamo Revelation. I served in the military for 14 years, including three deployments to the Middle East. My last deployment was to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom and I remain deployed in Baghdad after its fall until December, 2003. As an Arabic speaker, [...]

Future Danger

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 23:32:00 EST

In the Philip K. Dick short story (and Steven Spielberg / Tom Cruise film) The Minority Report, a special agency known as Precrime relies on psychic ?precogs? to anticipate and thus prevent murders before they happen. It is an interesting and thought provoking scifi premise, but, disturbingly, we?re actually sort of really using it to decide [...]

This is Our Last Post! Subscribe to the New Amnesty Blog

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 15:31:00 EST

Dear Reader,This is our last post to the Amnesty International Death Penalty Blog. We are discontinuing our issue-based blogs to launch one new Amnesty International Blog, Human Rights Now, that will cover all human rights news and opportunities for you to make a difference.

Check it out today for the latest Death Penalty and human rights news and be sure to subscribe so you won't...

USA: President-elect Obama: 100 days to demonstrate commitment to human rights

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International is calling on US president elect Barack Obama to take concrete steps to demonstrate commitment to human rights.

Innocence and the death penalty

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 14:04:00 EST

The recent execution of Gregory Wright in Texas reminds us that possible innocence will not always shield an inmate from the death chamber. Gregory Wright was convicted of murdering Donna Vick in 1997 along with accomplice John Adams. Mr. Wright consistently maintained his innocence, passed a polygraph test in which he stated that he did not murder Donna Vick, and Mr. Adams signed a statement...

When Victims and their Familes are Against Capital Punishment

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:36:00 EST

A district attorney in North Carolina will seek the death penalty despite opposition to capital punishment by the victim and her family.

Orange County District Attorney Jim Woodall announced in August that he would seek the death penalty for the murder of Eve Carson, former student-body president of the University of North Carolina. Woodall will do so in spite of evidence that Carson...

Indonesia: Bali bombers to face firing squad

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

Three men convicted of involvement in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings, which killed 202 people and injured a further 209, are to be executed in early November.

Somalia: Girl stoned was a child of 13

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

Contrary to earlier news reports, the girl stoned to death in Somalia this week was 13, not 23, Amnesty International can reveal.

USA: Another stay of execution for Troy Davis

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

Troy Davis was granted a provisional stay of execution on Friday, just three days before he was scheduled to be put to death.

Japan: Hakamada Iwao [Global letter-writing marathon 2008]

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

Hakamada Iwao is suffering from mental illness after spending over 28 years in solitary confinement and lives with the constant fear of execution. After an unfair trial, he was convicted of the 1966 murder of the boss of the factory where he worked, and the man's wife and two children. Hakamada Iwao appears to have been sentenced to death principally on the basis of a confession extracted under duress.

Japan: Two men hanged in Japan

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

The executions of Michitoshi Kuma and Masahiro Takashio were the first approved by Minister of Justice Mori Eisuke since he took office in September.

Two stays in 24 hours!

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:42:00 EST

AMAZING NEWS! Both Troy Davis and Bobby Woods were granted stays of execution! Bobby Woods' execution was stayed after his lawyers raised claims that he is mentally retarded and is legally ineliglible for execution under U.S. Supreme Court standards. His execution was originally scheduled for last night.

The execution for Troy Davis was stayed this morning! This stay is for...

Take Action for Gregory Wright

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:17:00 EST

One of the nine inmates on death row in Texas facing execution in the next 30 days is Gregory Wright. (Bobby Woods is scheduled to be executed by Texas tonight.) Like Troy Davis, Mr. Wright has serious claims of innocence that have not been heard in court. Take action to encourage Rick Perry, Texas' governor, to do everything in his power to commute this death sentence.

And good...

USA: In Final Days Before Troy Davis Execution Date, Concerned Public Worldwide Demands Action

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

As the scheduled execution date for Troy Anthony Davis fast approaches, national and international support for Davis is on the rise, with the public demonstrating its outrage over the refusal to hear evidence in Davis? favor, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) reported today.

Global Day of Action for Troy Davis

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:15:00 EST

As many of you know, Thursday, October 23 (tomorrow) is the Global Day of Action for Troy Davis. There will be rallies, demonstrations, and vigils held around the country and around the world. Find an event in your area - show your concern for and support of Troy Davis by taking ACTION! There are certainly other ways to show your support for Troy Davis - check our website for other ideas. ...

Nigeria: Corrupt justice system targets the poor

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

Hundreds of people on death row did not have a fair trial and may be innocent. Amnesty International's new report calls for an immediate moratorium on the death penalty.

Nigeria: "Waiting for the hangman"

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

(Abuja) Amnesty International today said that hundreds of those awaiting execution on Nigeria’s death rows did not have a fair trial and may therefore be innocent.

Iran: Juveniles still to face the noose

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

A senior judicial official in Iran has said that the judicial execution of juvenile offenders convicted of murder will continue in the country.

Iran: The end of child executions

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

Iran has instructed all courts to stop issuing death sentences against juvenile offenders. However, it is not clear if the directive includes those convicted of murder.

Execution Date Set for Troy Davis

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:50:00 EST

The Georgia Authorities wasted no time in issuing a death warrant and setting October 27th as the day Troy Davis will be executed. That means we have only 10 days to make it known to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, the sole authority in granting clemency in capital cases in the state, that executing a man whose case for innocence has never been heard in court is not only unjust, it is...

Iran: Announcement of end of child executions a welcome step

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International calls on the Head of Iran’s Judiciary to apply with immediate effect today’s announcement that it will end the death penalty for those under the age of 18, irrespective of the type of crime allegedly committed.

Appeal denied by U.S. Supreme Court

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:25:00 EST

The U.S. Supreme Court today announced that it has denied to hear Troy Davis' appeal, which means that the stay issued by the high court three weeks ago has expired. This essentially means that the Georgia Authorities now have the power to seek a new death warrant and, ultimately, set a new execution date for Davis.

We are asking all activists to continue writing letters to the...

Saudi Arabia: Executions disproportionately target foreign nationals

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

The government of Saudi Arabia executes an average of more than two people a week - almost half are foreign nationals from poor and developing countries.

Saudi Arabia: Affront to Justice: Death Penalty in Saudi Arabia

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International has been documenting the Saudi Arabian authorities extensive use of the death penalty for over a quarter of a century. This report is the latest evaluation, made in light of the legal, judicial and human rights changes that have been introduced in recent years in the country. The report details cases of death row prisoners on whose behalf Amnesty International has campaigned. It also includes testimonies of former detainees, some of whom have been under sentence of death.

USA: Amnesty International Decries U.S. Supreme Court Decision to Deny Troy Davis Petition

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) decried today's U.S. Supreme Court decision to deny a new hearing for Georgia death-row inmate Troy Anthony Davis. The Court had granted Davis a stay of execution just hours before he was scheduled to be put to death while it decided whether to hear the case. In denying Davis' petition for a writ of certiorari, the Court has effectively ended a long-standing battle to have new evidence in Davis' favor heard in a court of law.

World Day Against the Death Penalty

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:11:00 EST

Today is the fifth annual World Day Against the Death Penalty. Every October 10 for the past six years, abolitionists from across the globe rally to oppose capital punishment and enforce the idea that abolition is a global struggle. This year, the focus will be on abolition in Asia, where Amnesty International estimates that there were at least 644 reported executions in 2007.

Asia...

Iraq: New evidence further undermines the right to fair trial

Thu, 9 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

Iraq: New evidence further undermines the right to fair trial

Partnership on the Death Penalty and Mental Illness

Wed, 8 Oct 2008 17:01:00 EST

Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights (MVFHR) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) have joined together to launch a national project opposing the death penalty for persons with severe mental illness. While virtually every country has banned execution of the mentally ill, and the United States Supreme Court has ruled that executing insane prisoners violates the Eighth Amendment...

Support Clemency for Richard Cooey

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:34:00 EST

Richard Cooey is scheduled to be executed in Ohio next Tuesday, October 14. He was sentenced to death on December 5, 1986, after being convicted of two counts of murder by a three-judge panel. He has spent nearly 22 years on death row. Cooey's sentence is of particular concern for several reasons.

Cooey was merely 19 when convicted. Not only has he accepted responsibility for...

No action from Supreme Court on Troy's case

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 10:59:00 EST

The United States Supreme Court took no action on Troy Davis's appeal and may consider the case at their next conference this Friday, October 10. If they do decide on his case on Friday, the order will be released on the next Tuesday, the 14th. We'll continue to keep you updated as we know more. In the meantime, you can continue to take action on our website. Thanks!

JM,...

Former FBI Director urges Supreme Court to hear Troy Davis case

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 14:04:00 EST

Former FBI Director William S. Sessions, a supporter of the death penalty, has called for the Supreme Court of the United States to grant certiorari in the Troy Davis case.

Sessions, also the former Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas and current member of the Constitution Project's Death Penalty Committee, acknowledged the serious nature of a...

A message from Troy Davis

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:01:00 EST

Below you will find a message my brother Troy mailed to me on September 22, 2008 the night before his scheduled execution in Georgia, it was for all the people who belive in Justice and in him, so I hope you get a small glimpse of what Troy's spirit is really like.

~ Martina Correia, sister of Troy Anthony Davis

__________________

To all

This is a...

No news is good news

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:22:00 EST

We have all been waiting to hear from the US Supreme Court and, so far, there has been no news. If there is no decision from the Supreme Court by noon tomorrow (Tuesday, September 30), the death warrant for Troy will expire. There is still a possibility that the Court will decline to hear the case and a new execution date will be set. We will update you as soon as we hear anything. ...

USA: Stay of execution for Troy Davis

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

Troy Davis received a stay of execution on Tuesday less than two hours before he was due to be put to death by lethal injection in Georgia.

Stay of execution!

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:45:00 EST

The Supreme Court of the United States has blocked the scheduled execution of Troy Davis!

The Court issued an order staying the execution until Monday to give itself time to consider his certiorari appeal. Should the Court deny the petition for the writ of certiorari, the stay will terminate automatically. If the petition is granted, the stay will terminate in accordance with the...

USA: Amnesty International Praises Stay of Execution for Troy Davis

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International USA today welcomed the order from the Supreme Court of the United States to stay the execution of Troy Anthony Davis hours before his scheduled execution.

Execution of Troy Davis Tomorrow - Actions Planned

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:50:00 EST

The scheduled execution of Troy Anthony Davis is now less than 24 hours away. It is important that we continue to show our disapproval of the decision to deny him clemency. Please take action today if you haven't already, and continue to spread the word. In the sad event that there is no intervention tomorrow, we encourage everyone to organize vigils or other public events to mark this tragic...

Thank you for you continued support!

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:40:00 EST

Last night's events in support of Troy Davis were a big success!

The Atlanta march drew around 300 people. Amnesty International members, along with members of the NAACP and other supporters, marched through downtown Atlanta to the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where a prayer vigil was held. Check out pictures (courtesy of Asha, our field organizer in Atlanta) of the march and a report of...

USA: Activists, Concerned Citizens March for Davis on Thursday

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

This Thursday, September 18 at 6:00 pm, Amnesty International USA, the NAACP, community leaders and concerned citizens from across Georgia will hold a peaceful march to demand justice for Troy Anthony Davis.

Continue to take action in support of Troy Davis

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:15:00 EST

In spite of the recent decision by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles to deny Troy Davis clemency, action still can and needs to be taken on his behalf. There are two events this week to attend to show your support for Troy.

For those in and around the Atlanta area, there will be a March to Save Troy Davis this Thursday, September 18 at 6 p.m. Meet at Edgewood Avenue and...

Urge Board to Reconsider Clemency

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:33:00 EST

In light of the troubling decision by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles to deny clemency to Troy Davis, it makes sense that there is only one course of action to take. We will continue, tirelessly, to urge the Board to reconsider its decision! The Board has the power to revisit this decision and, possibly, reverse it. Please join us by taking action!

There is just one week...

USA: Amnesty International Condemns Parole Board Decision to Allow the Execution of Troy Davis

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International (AIUSA) today condemned in the strongest possible terms the decision to deny clemency to Troy Anthony Davis. The human rights organization, after attending today’s clemency hearing, called the decision a baffling and unbelievable perversion of justice.

Japan: Should adopt death penalty moratorium

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

Three men were executed in Japan on Thursday 11 September 2008. Amnesty International has called for the government to immediately adopt a moratorium on executions.

Troy Davis: Clemency Denied

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:05:00 EST

The Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles has denied clemency for Troy Anthony Davis.

I planned to use this blog entry to tell you all about the amazing, beyond amazing, rally in Atlanta last night - attended by hundreds of supporters - on behalf of Troy Davis. Alas, this horrible news has come instead.

No rational person can deny that there is serious and substantial doubt...

Argentina: Death penalty abolished

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

This latest initiative paves the way for other countries to follow suit, and makes Argentina the sixth country to ratify all the human rights instruments of the inter-American system.

USA: Groundswell of Support for Troy Davis in Days Leading Up to Clemency Hearing, Reports Amnesty International

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

On the eve of his clemency hearing at the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, support for Troy Davis has reached an all-time high, reported Amnesty International today.

Execution date for Jack Alderman

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:43:00 EST

Georgia has scheduled a September 16 execution date for Jack Alderman. This date is less than a week away - so please take action! You can go to www.justiceforjack.org to sign the petition right now!

And please don't forget to spread the word.

Thanks!

Death Penalty Abolition Campaign, AIUSA

Send a text for Troy!

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:24:00 EST

Got a cell phone? Text "TROY" to 90999!

That's it, so easy. You will get a text message back that you can send to everyone in your phonebook to ask them to take action on behalf of Troy Davis. That's all you have to so - so send the text now!

Today is the DEADLINE for taking action by sending a letter to the Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles asking that they grant...

Charles Dean Hood's execution stayed

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

The execution of Charles Dean Hood, scheduled for September 10, has been stayed by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The stay was not based on the highly publicized allegations that Hood's trial judge and prosecutor were involved romantically during the time of his trial, but was in response to a challenge that his jury was given flawed instructions. News accounts have also reported that, in their reprieve request to Texas Governor Rick Perry, Hood's attorneys stated that the former judge and prosecutor in question admitted to the affair under oath earlier this week in a separate civil proceeding. Thanks to all who took action on his behalf!

Clemency Hearing for Troy Davis

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 13:42:00 EST

The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles will hold a clemency hearing on Friday, September 12 where they will hear from the attorneys of Troy Davis. Troy is scheduled to be executed by the state of Georgia on September 23, even though his serious claims of innocence have never been heard in court. You can read more about his case here.

Take action now! Send a letter to the Georgia...

USA: Amnesty International, NAACP Rally for Troy Davis

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

This Thursday, September 11 at 6:00 pm, on the eve of Troy Anthony Davis clemency hearing, Amnesty International, the NAACP and community leaders will rally at the state capitol to demand justice for Davis.

Some Good News

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 18:04:00 EST

While the scheduling of Troy Davis for execution (despite the fact that he has never had a hearing on the seven of nine non-police witnesses who have recanted their trial testimony) still sinks in, there is also some good news to report.

In Texas, a hearing on whether a judge and prosecutor were having an affair during a death penalty trial has now been rescheduled so that it takes...

New Execution Date for Troy Davis

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 17:10:00 EST

Troy Davis is scheduled to be executed by the state of Georgia on September 23, even though his serious claims of innocence have never been heard in court.

Take action right now to stop this execution!

Troy Davis was convicted of murder solely on the basis of witness testimony, and seven of the nine non-police witnesses have since recanted or changed their testimony, several...

Texas: First the Execution, Then the Hearing

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:11:00 EST

Charles Dean Hood is scheduled to be executed on September 10. The good news is that a hearing has been scheduled to consider explosive evidence about the fairness of his original trial, involving allegations that the prosecutor and the judge were involved in a romantic relationship during his trial. The bad news is that the hearing is scheduled for September 12, two days after the...

Child Offender Executions Continue

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:52:00 EST

Yesterday, Iran executed another juvenile offender. That makes 6 so far this year (221 non-juvenile offenders have also been put to death in Iran). No other country has executed a juvenile offender this year, though a few in Saudi Arabia are at serious risk.

Behnam Zare' was 15 years old at the time of the crime, a murder that took place during an argument. He was hanged in...

In Memoriam: Rachel King, 1963-2008

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:38:00 EST

We are sad to announce the passing of a long-time anti-death penalty activist, who died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. Rachel achieved many great things in her short lifetime, and we will be forever grateful for her extraordinary contribution to this world. Please read the beautiful tribute to Rachel on the blog of Murder Victim's Families for Human Rights.

Two Stays

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:10:00 EST

Both Dennis Skillicorn and Jeff Wood have received stays of execution; in both cases, they had been sentenced to death despite the fact that they did not actually kill.

But neither stay was related to that issue.

In Skillicorn's case, the Missouri Supreme Court chastised the state for "obstruction of clemency advocacy", for blocking his lawyer's efforts to develop a...

Executing Accomplices

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:44:00 EST

UPDATE: Jeffery Lee Wood was stayed this afternoon by a federal judge in order to allow for more time to evaluate his mental capacity.

Jeffery Lee Wood and Dennis Skillicorn are two death row inmates that have something in common--they both were scheduled to be executed within a one week time span for crimes in which they did not directly kill the victim. Wood's clemency petition was...

Sudan: Hundreds held without charge after 10 May attack

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

After eight alleged members of the Justice and Equality Movement were sentenced to death by Sudan's Anti-Terrorism Special Courts, the government prepares to try another 109.

Iran: Suspension of stoning executions a welcome step if carried out

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International has welcomed last week's announcement by the spokesperson for Iran's Judiciary that execution by stoning has been suspended.

Mentally Ill Offenders Languishing on Death Row

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:01:00 EST

Raymond Riles has spent 33 years on Texas death row for the 1974 robbery and murder of Houston used car salesman John Henry. In the nation's most active execution state, Riles' stay on death row defies standards set in place by Texas to ensure that executions take place as speedily as possible. Despite this, Riles has no execution date or no plans for one. So why is Riles still on death...

Iran's Judiciary to Review Stoning

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:45:00 EST

Last Wednesday, Iranian press reported that Iran's Judiciary had drafted legislation to remove stoning from their methods of execution. The draft legislation has been submitted to the parliament for approval, where the parliament's legal commission will prepare a final draft for Iranian MPs to vote on. Legislation is only final if accepted by the Guardians Council, which can veto legislation...

Another Foreign National Executed in Texas

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 10:38:00 EST

Last night, two nights after putting Mexican national Jose Medellin to death, the state of Texas executed Heliberto Chi, a national from Honduras. He was convicted of a killing Armand Paliotta during a robbery in the Dallas area in 2001.

Unlike Mexico in the Jose Medellin case, Honduras did not appeal to the International Court of Justice, or World Court, but the government of...

Mexican national executed in Texas

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

José Medellín was put to death in violation of the USA’s international legal obligations and despite worldwide appeals for the execution to be stopped.

Live from the Maryland Commission...

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 15:37:00 EST

Yesterday's Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment featured a continuation of racial, jurisdictional, and socio-economic disparities in capital punishment sentencing. The Commission heard expert testimony on the U.S. Supreme Court and Maryland Death Penalty Law. The exploration of these topics offered revealing questions about the practicality of the death penalty in Maryland and the costs...

Jose Medellin Executed

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 10:09:00 EST

In upholding the José Medellin execution the unsigned opinion of Supreme Court's 5-4 majority makes some strange arguments. First, they insist that:

"The beginning premise for any stay, and indeed for the assumption that Congress or the legislature might seek to intervene in this suit, must be that petitioner's confession was obtained unlawfully."But the denial of Medellin's right to...

Iran: Iranian Government Must Ensure Suspension of Stoning is Not a Hollow Promise, Urges Amnesty International

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International welcomed the announcement by the spokesperson for Iran?s judiciary that execution by stoning has been suspended, as a result of which several women have had their sentences commuted.

USA: Texas execution violates international law

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

"The execution of José Ernesto Medellín Rojas by the state of Texas is a violation of international law," said Amnesty International today.

Iran: Announcement of suspension of stoning a welcome step if carried out

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International welcomed the announcement by the spokesperson for Iran’s judiciary that execution by stoning has been suspended, as a result of which several women have had their sentences commuted.

Fact Sheets

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Find information about all aspects of the death penalty including death penalty costs, death penalty statistics and arguments against the death penalty. Download the Fact Sheets in PDF format.

Scheduled Executions in the U.S.

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 08:45:00 EST

See the current list of pending executions in the US.

Death Penalty Curriculum Guide

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 00:30:00 EST

Since 1976, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that executions could resumeafter a four year moratorium, more than 1,050 people have been executed in thiscountry. Approximately 3,370 men and women remain on death row throughoutthe United States. The goal of this curriculum guide is to encourage students toquestion the ethics behind the death penalty, which the United States SupremeCourt called “cruel and unusual punishment” in its 1972 decision of the Furman vs.Georgia case, due to the arbitrary nature of its application. Download the Curriculum Guide in PDF Format.

USA: Governor Rick Perry must halt Medellin execution immediately, says Amnesty International

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) today urged Texas Governor Rick Perry to stay the execution of José Medellin to comply with a recent ruling from the International Court of Justice, or World Court. Medellin, a Mexican national who was never informed of his right to request consular assistance, is scheduled to be put to death tomorrow.

My experience testifying ...

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 11:33:00 EST

On Monday I had the opportunity to sit and experience the Commission on Capital Punishment recently convened by Maryland's General Assembly. Expert testimony was offered by six witnesses followed by ten members of the public who spoke as well. Much of the discussion was devoted to the presentation of statistics that prove there are racial, socio-economic, and jurisdictional disparities in...

Thomas Arthur's execution stayed

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

On July 31, the Alabama Supreme Court voted 5-4 to indefinitely delay the execution of Thomas Arthur, who is seeking a DNA test he claims could prove his innocence. Another man has confessed to the crime and the state of Alabama has admitted that it has lost the rape kit containing the DNA evidence in question. Thanks to all who took action on his behalf!

People's Republic of China: The Olympics countdown -- broken promises

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

With the Olympics less than two weeks away, it is time to assess progress made by the Chinese authorities to improve human rights in line with their own commitments made in 2001. This report provides a final summary and updates developments in these four key areas which are: the continuing use of the death penalty; abusive forms of administrative detention; the arbitrary detention, imprisonment, ill-treatment and harassment of human rights defenders, including journalists and lawyers; and the censorship of the internet.

Iran flies in face of global execution trend

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International is appalled by the mass execution of 29 men in Tehran's Evin Prison on July 27, 2008. Their deaths brought the number of executions carried out so far this year to 187.

Chinese authorities' broken promises threaten Olympic legacy

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

A new Amnesty International report shows that the Chinese authorities have broken their promise to improve the country's human rights situation and betrayed the core values of the Olympics.

Kevin Young's death sentence commuted

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Good News! The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended clemency for Kevin Young and on Thursday, July 24th, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry approved their recommendation and commuted Young's sentence. Young was sentenced to death in 1996 after exchanging gunfire and killing a man during a botched robbery attempt. Young and another man went to the steakhouse with the intention of robbing the restaurant, yet the shooting was not premeditated and did not merit a capital sentence. The Pardon and Parole Board has recommended clemency four times in the past five years, yet Henry has granted only one clemency request during that time. Thanks to all who took action on his behalf!

Liberia: President must veto death penalty bill

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Following the confirmation by the Liberian Senate of a bill re-proposing the death penalty for certain crimes, Amnesty International called on President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to veto the bill.

Olympics promises for human rights - the China Debate

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International has launched a new website for people to have their say about the human rights situation in China in the countdown to the Beijing Olympics.

Laos: Official moratorium on the death penalty -- an opportunity for Laos

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) urge the Lao government to introduce an official moratorium on executions

Guantánamo military commission hearings resume

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Five Guantánamo detainees accused of involvement in the attacks of 11 September 2001 in the USA are due to appear in front of a military judge this week.

Love, hate and the law: decriminalizing homosexuality

Fri, 4 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

The paper explores the different legal approaches to criminalizing homosexuality, including less direct approaches that may not explicitly criminalize same-sex sexual conduct but instead seek to prevent the promotion of homosexuality, protect children, or respond to public health concerns. Decriminalization is not the whole answer, but it is a key step towards respecting, protecting and fulfilling the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, same-sex practicing and transgender people.

USA: Guy LeGrande found incompetent for execution due to mental illness

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

On 27 June, 2008, a North Carolina judge found Guy Tobias LeGrande incompetent for execution due to his serious mental illness. The execution of a person who does not understand the reason for, or reality of his punishment, is unconstitutional in the USA. He has been on death row for 12 years. Amnesty International urges the North Carolina authorities to commute his death sentence and to ensure that he receives all necessary and appropriate treatment for his serious mental illness.

USA: Capital charges sworn against another Guantánamo detainee tortured in secret CIA custody

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

On 30 June 2008, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions called on the US government to discontinue all military commission proceedings currently underway against whom the US authorities are to seek the death penalty. On the same day the US Department of Defense announced that capital charges had been sworn against Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri for trial by military commission. Any trials should be conducted before the appropriate, regularly-constituted criminal courts in the USA, with the full fair trial protections required by international human rights law.

Kurdish boy executed in Iran

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

A Kurdish boy, believed to be 16 or 17 years old at the time of execution, was executed in Iran on Tuesday.

Percy Walton's Sentence Commuted

Mon, 9 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

Good News! Just one day before he was scheduled to become the 100th execution in Virginia, Governor Timothy M. Kaine commuted the sentence of Percy Walton, a man with a history of serious mental illness, to life in prison. Thank you to all who took action on his behalf.

Oral Statement by Amnesty International Item 7 (k): Report of the Working Group on the Death Penalty

Wed, 7 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

ITEM 7 (k): Report of the Working Group on the Death Penalty

India: The Death Penalty in India

Fri, 2 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

A lethal lottery: A study of Supreme Court judgments in death penalty cases 1950-2006 (summary report)

Guatemala: Congreso debe rechazar la pena de muerte

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

La Comisión de Gobernación del Congreso debe rechazar la pena de muerte, dijo hoy Amnistía Internacional en una carta enviada a ese órgano.

India: Time to end the lethal lottery of India's death penalty system

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

(New Delhi): The first major study into India’s legal judgements on death penalty cases has revealed that the system is riddled with fatal flaws and that the only remedy is to abolish the death penalty completely, said the study authors in New Delhi today.

Secret video shows horror of Saudi beheading

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Secretly filmed footage of a man being beheaded in Saudi Arabia has been received by Amnesty International.

Saudi Arabia: Amnesty International Obtains Secret Video Showing Horror of Beheading in Saudi Arabia

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International has received secretly filmed grisly footage of a man being beheaded in Saudi Arabia. The organization strongly condemns the execution and calls for the Saudi Arabian government to adhere to the U.N. moratorium on executions around the world.

Iraq executions follow apparently unfair trials

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Twenty-eight people have been executed in Iraq this week following what appear to have been hasty and unfair trials.

US Supreme Court rules lethal injections constitutional

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

The US Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the state of Kentucky's lethal injection procedures are constitutional.

USA: Supreme Court's Lethal Injection Ruling Has Limited Long-Term Impact

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Larry Cox, executive director for Amnesty International USA,statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Baze v. Rees, which challenged the constitutionality of Kentucky's lethal injection protocols

Amnesty International calls on governments to lift the veil of secrecy around executions

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

In a new report published today, Amnesty International revealed that at least 1,200 people were executed in 2007 and expressed deep concern that many more were killed by the state, in secret, in countries including China, Mongolia and Viet Nam.

Death sentences and executions in 2007

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

This document details the countries and territories that carried out executions, and the countries and territories that imposed death sentences, in 2007. During 2007, at least 1,252 people were executed in 24 countries. At least 3,347 people were sentenced to death in 51 countries. These were only minimum figures; the true figures were certainly higher. In 2007, 88 per cent of all known executions took place in five countries: China, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the USA.

The death penalty worldwide developments in 2007

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

In 2007 the world continued to move closer to the universal abolition of the capital punishment. A historical landmark is the resolution on a moratorium on executions endorsed by the United Nations. By the end of the 2007, 91 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes. The death penalty has now been abolished in law or practice by 135 countries. Other subjects covered in this report include commutations, judicial reviews, use against child offenders; and extradition.

World: 2007 Death Penalty statistics, notes and case studies

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

2007 Death Penalty stats in comparison with 2006

Amnesty International calls on governments to lift the veil of secrecy around executions

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Secrecy surrounds death penalty

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

At least 1,200 people were executed in 2007 and many more were killed by the state, in secret, in countries including China, Mongolia and Viet Nam.

Nigeria: Detention during the pleasure of the governor - NBA, Nigerian NGOs and Amnesty International urge the immediate release of Patrick Okoroafor

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

NBA, Nigerian NGOs and Amnesty International urge the immediate release of Patrick Okoroafor

Central Asia: Summary of Human Rights Concerns: March 2007 -- March 2008

Wed, 9 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International remains concerned that despite professed efforts by the governments in Central Asia to fulfil their human rights obligations and actual efforts by some states to remedy the worst abuses, grave human rights violations routinely continue to be committed with virtual impunity. This summary highlights some of the organization's most pressing human rights concerns in the various republics in Central Asia.

USA: Another CIA detainee facing death penalty trial by military commission

Wed, 2 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

On March 31, 2008, the Pentagon announced that charges had been sworn against Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, a Tanzanian national held in US military detention in Guantánamo since September 2006. He now faces the prospect of a military commission trial, the procedures of which do not meet international fair trial standards, and at which the government intends to seek the death penalty.

China: Olympics countdown -- Time running out for improvement in human rights

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International called on the Chinese authorities to immediately end repressive measures against Chinese human rights defenders in Beijing and other parts of China, as well as against protesters in Tibet and surrounding regions, as it launched its report

Death Penalty News: December 2007

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

1) UN votes for global moratorium on the death penalty; 2) Nigeria misleads world about executions; 3) Iran executes yet another child offender; 4) Japan executes three prisoners; 5) Guatemala commutes death sentence; 6) USA New Jersey abolishes death penalty; 7) USA Innocence; 8) USA expansion of death penalty; 9) International events: World Day and Cities for Life; 10) News in brief

List of abolitionist and retentionist countries (1 January 2008)

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

More than half the countries in the world have now abolished the death penalty in law or practice. This document includes lists of countries in the four categories: abolitionist for all crimes, abolitionist for ordinary crimes only, abolitionist in practice and retentionist. There is also a list of of countries which have abolished the death penalty since 1976.

Ratifications of international treaties to abolish the death penalty (1 January 2008)

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

The community of nations has adopted four international treaties providing for the abolition of the death penalty. One is of worldwide scope; the other three are regional. This document contains short descriptions of the four treaties and current lists of states parties and countries which have signed but not ratified the treaties.

What human rights legacy for the Beijing Olympics?

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Liu Jingmin, Vice-President of the Beijing Olympic Bid Committee, said In 2001 that allowing Beijing to host the Games would “help the development of human rights."

USA: Government must ensure meaningful judicial review of Mexican death row cases

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

On 25 March 2008, in a case involving the USAs obligation to comply with judgments of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the US Supreme Court ruled in favour of the State of Texas and against a Mexican national on death row there. The Supreme Court has effectively passed the buck to the other branches of government to act to ensure that the USA meets its international obligations. Amnesty International urges them to do so.

Death Penalty Statistics 2008

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:15:00 EST

In 2008 the world moved even closer towards abolition of the death penalty. In December, the United Nations General Assembly (UN GA) adopted by a large majority a second resolution calling for a moratorium with a view to abolish the death penalty. This resolution consolidates three decades of steady progress towards complete abolition of the death penalty.

Amnesty International Decries Ruling in Troy Davis Case

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) decried today's Georgia Supreme Court decision to deny a new trial for Troy Anthony Davis, who has been on death row for more than 16 years despite significant concerns regarding his innocence. The human rights organization, which has collected more than 60,000 petition signatures while campaigning for Davis, said the ruling demonstrates a blatant disregard for justice, and asserted that the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles must grant clemency in his case.

Carnage and despair in Iraq

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Five years after the US-led invasion of Iraq, the country is still in disarray.

Three Australians spared death penalty in Bali

Thu, 6 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Three members of the so-called Bali Nine have had their death sentences reduced to life imprisonment following a judicial review by the Supreme Court.

China urged to take steps to end death penalty

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Anti-death penalty campaigners have urged Chinese legislators to take "concrete steps" towards abolishing the death penalty.

Tell China to abolish the Death Penalty for the New Year

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:00:09 EST

Based on public reports, Amnesty International estimates that at least 1,010 people were executed and 2,790 sentenced to death in 2006 in China. The death penalty violates the Olympic ideal of preserving human dignity. Send a New Year greeting to Prime Minister Wen Jiabao before the end of January to urge him to respect the Olympic ideal, and to take positive steps towards abolishing the death penalty in China.

New Cuban leadership can improve human rights

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International has called on the new Cuban government to allow UN human rights bodies and independent human rights organizations to visit the country.

US seeks death penalty for Guantánamo detainees

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

The US government is seeking the death penalty against six “high-value” detainees at Guantánamo Bay charged on Monday.

USA: Nebraska Supreme Court Ruling 'A Sign of the Times,' Says Amnesty International

Fri, 8 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International USA welcomes the Nebraska Supreme Court decision to bar the electric chair. Nebraska was the last holdout that still allowed this outmoded method of execution, and the Supreme Court ruling is a sign of the times.

Japan: Amnesty International Condemns New Round of "Streamlined" Executions in Japan

Fri, 1 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Amnesty International strongly condemns the hanging in Japan today of three men: Keishi Nago (age 37), Masahiko Matsubara (age 63), and Takashi Mochida (age 65).

Campaigning to end stoning in Iran

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

Eleven people in Iran - nine of them women - are waiting to be stoned to death on charges of adultery. Many have been sentenced after grossly unfair trials.

Uzbekistan abolishes the death penalty

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

The trend towards total abolition of the death penalty has continued with Uzbekistan becoming the latest country to put an end to executions.

US state abolishes death penalty

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

The US state of New Jersey has joined the global trend towards the abolition of the death penalty.

The Wire, December 2007. Vol. 37, No. 11

Sat, 1 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

Sudan: Arrest Now! Darfur, the Sudan: Ahmad Harun and Ali Kushayb [Fact Sheet]

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EST

Help Prevent the Execution of a Juvenile in Saudi Arabia

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 10:56:54 EST

Domestic worker Rizana Nafeek was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabis for a murder committed while she was just 17 years old. Saudi Arabia is a state party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which expressly prohibits the execution of offenders for crimes committed when they were under 18 years old. Rizana Nafeek is believed to have appealed against her sentence, but if her appeal is unsuccessful she could be executed within days.

Vital UN human rights work under threat

Wed, 9 May 2007 00:00:00 EST

The UN Human Rights Council's Special Procedures are under threat. These are independent human rights experts, who examine issues globally, or focus on specific places, or on particular groups such as human rights defenders or migrants. They are currently under review, and their independence, expertise and ability to respond quickly are at risk. Amnesty International and 16 other non-governmental organizations have launched a global petition calling on UN member states to maintain and strengthen the system of Special Procedures. Their work is critical for the safety and lives of individuals all over the world.

Chad: 'Are we citizens of this country?' : Civilians in Chad unprotected from Janjawid attacks

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:00:00 EST

This report documents evidence of the deliberate and targeted killing of communities, the rape and other crimes of violence against women, and the destruction of homes and civilian property in eastern Chad. Amnesty International is concerned that such human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law have been committed throughout eastern Chad. Amnesty International's research strongly suggests that killings, rape and forced displacement have been committed in a systematic and widespread manner and that crimes against humanity have been committed.

Sudan: Darfur: Threats to humanitarian aid

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST

Tens of thousands of people in Darfur are at risk of dying for lack of humanitarian aid. Three years into the armed conflict, more than three million people depend on humanitarian assistance. The massive aid operation put in place in 2004, albeit late, has saved hundreds of thousands of lives but is now under threat. In August 2006 the access of humanitarian organizations to the civilian population fell drastically to its lowest level since 2004. Civilians directly affected by renewed conflict urgently need access to life-saving assistance.

The Wire, November 2006. Vol. 36, No.10.

Wed, 1 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST

1) Children maimed by Israeli cluster bombs in Lebanon 2) Pakistan sells 'terror suspects' to USA 3) Sudan: 'If you leave the camp, we will kill you' 4) Arbitrary deadlines hamper tribunals 5) Women in Mexico denied Justice 6)Worldwide appeals: Peru: Activist threatened and intimidated; Morocco/Western Sahara: Prison sentence for human rights defender; Belarus: Election monitors imprisoned 7) Updates: Saudi Arabia; Iran; USA; Peru; Greece; Ending impunity for police in Angola 8) Canadian inquiry vindicates case of Guantánamo detainee 9) Ambassador of conscience award 10) Control Arms 11) 25 years of renouncing religious intolerance 12) Activist murdered in Russian Federation 13) Recent Publication

UN Human Rights Council Second session. Compilation of statements by Amnesty International, including joint statements

Wed, 1 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST

The second session of the Human Rights Council, took place from 18 September to 6 October, but was then adjourned until 27 November 2006. It will be followed by the third session immediately thereafter. As part of the unfinished business from the 62nd session of the Commission, the Council considered and discussed, in unprecedented depth, the Special Procedures' reports. This document is a compilation of AI's delivered statements, undelivered contributions and two interventions which were not delivered due to technical reasons.

The Wire, October 2006. Vol. 36, No.9.

Sun, 1 Oct 2006 00:00:00 EST

1) Government maligns Colombian activists 2) Will China honour its Olympic promises? 3) 3 October Focus on Africa - World Habitat Day 4) Thousands made homeless in Nigeria 5) Oil fuels evictions in Equatorial Guinea 6) No justice for victims of forced evictions in Zimbabwe 7) Worldwide appeals: United Arab Emirates: Human rights activists harassed; China: Prisoner of conscience sentenced; United Kingdom: Risk of torture if returned to Algeria; Violence flares in Sudan; Cluster bomb carnage in Lebanon; USA defends secret detention 8) Update: Guantánamo detainee released; Turkmenistan; Viet Nam; Australia scraps migration bill 9) 10 October The World Day against the Death Penalty 10) Activists say no to death penalty 11) Iran continues to execute children