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Amnesty 2008 reportDeath Penalty
Amnesty 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 background to this campaign
Act now
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USA: Stay of execution for Troy Davis The Supreme Court issued a stay of execution less than two hours before Troy
was scheduled to be executed. We need to keep up the pressure. Hear Troy Davis
GOOD NEWS
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Death row Scot is free Kenny Richey, a Scottish man who has spent more than 20 years on death row in
Ohio, is back in his native Edinburgh. 
USA: Execution of John Spirko commuted Ohio's Governor has commuted the death sentence of John Spirko to life imprisonment
without the possibility of parole. Thank you to all who sent appeals. 
Iran: Sina Paymard is released Child offender Sina Paymard has been released after payment in diyeh (blood money), which was demanded by the family of the murder victim in order
to pardon him. Latest news
- USA: Texas execution violates international law 07 Aug 2008
More news
Further information
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Amnesty's Annual Report on the death penalty reveals that the number of people executed in 2006 fell compared to the previous year. At the same time, it also shows that there has been a 'disturbing revival of executions' among a minority of countries. Read the press release | Read the report (pdf) |
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Jeremy Irons talks about the death penalty Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons outlines arguments against capital punishment in
a clip to support Amnesty International's campaign against the death penalty.
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Death penalty: Teaching resources
