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Death Penalty

SubhomeXAmnesty International opposes the death penalty because it is a violation of two fundamental human rights, as laid down in Articles 3 and 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
  • the right to life, and
  • the right not to be tortured or subject to any cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment

The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. It is irrevocable and can be inflicted on the innocent. It has never been shown to deter crime more effectively than other punishments. More on the background to this campaign

Japan: Hakamada Iwao

Hakamada Iwao © Private

On 10 March, Hakamada Iwao will turn 74. Well be using the occasion to call on the Japanese government to release or re-try him, and we need you to help us. Join our photo action

Good news

President Tsakhia ElbegdorjMoratorium on executions in Mongolia Amnesty International welcomes President Tsakhia Elbegdorj's move toward full abolition of the death penalty. More

Troy Davis: Last chance 

Troy Davis

Letter from Troy 200 Read a letter from Troy to Kim Manning-Cooper (Amnesty UK's death penalty campaign manager) and Amnesty supporters, thanking them for all their hard work on his case.

In October 2009 Kim went to the US with Keane's Richard Hughes and Alistair Carmichael MP to visit Troy Davis on death row and lobby Members of Congress and Senators on his behalf. 

Troy Davis has spent over 18 years on death row for a murder he maintains he did not commit. The USA's highest court has granted him another chance to prove his innocence and avoid execution.

This is the final chance to push the profile of Troy's case and to ensure that justice is served in his case. Find out more

Death Penalty Report: Executions on the Rise

Amnesty's annual death penalty report reveals a significant increase in the number of people executed last year. In 2007, 1252 people were executed worldwide. In 2008 this rose to 2,390. 72% of which took place in China alone.

Teaching resources on the death penalty

Our teaching resources include a Maths lesson exploring statistics and views on the death penalty world-wide and China in particular, and the Letters To Death Row film and lesson plan.