BBC Homepagelow graphics version | feedback | help BBC News Online You are in: World: Americas [nothing.gif] Front Page World [USEMAP:blue_map.gif] Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia ------------- From Our Own Correspondent ------------- Letter From America UK UK Politics Business Sci/Tech Health Education Entertainment Talking Point In Depth AudioVideo [nothing.gif] Monday, 11 June, 2001, 13:42 GMT 14:42 UK Death penalty worldwide Terre Haute execution chamber McVeigh died by lethal injection The execution of Oklahoma bomber Timothy McVeigh has highlighted the use of the death penalty around the world. It is used in 87 countries - though the number of countries that actually executes prisoners in any one year is much less. Executions in 2000 China: 1,000 Saudi Arabia: 123 United States: 85 Iran: 75 Source: Amnesty International According to Amnesty International,1,457 prisoners in 27 countries were executed last year, and a further 3,058 people in 65 countries were sentenced to death. China, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Iran are the chief countries using the death penalty. Together they account for at least 88% of all known executions. The death penalty is an abomination Neil Durkun, Amnesty International UK However, figures for China and Saudi Arabia are thought to be even higher. The US and Japan are the only major industrial countries to enforce the death penalty, and a recent report from Amnesty said the US had abdicated its role as a leader in human rights because of that. "The death penalty is an abomination," said Neil Durkun, Amnesty International UK. "To have the death penalty is a contravention of the basic right to live. "It brutalises society. It's outdated, immoral and wrong." Doubts Capital punishment is legal in 38 of the 50 US states. The last state to bring back the death penalty was New York in 1995. Illinois placed a moratorium on executions last year, and six other states are actively thinking about it. Since 1973, more than 90 prisoners in the US have been released from Death Row after their innocence was proven. Many had spent several years awaiting execution. In 2000, executions are known to have been carried out in the following countries: Afghanistan, Bahamas, Belarus, Burundi, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Guatemala, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Somalia, Taiwan, Thailand, US, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen. In addition, death sentences were imposed in: Algeria, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Burma, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mongolia, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Authority, Rwanda, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe. 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Oklahoma bombing Focus on death penalty Militias 'in retreat' America's enemy within Death row landmarks Execution worldwide [mega_video.gif] AUDIO VIDEO The McVeigh story [mega_talkingpoint.gif] TALKING POINT Should the execution have gone ahead? [mega_talkingpoint.gif] FORUM McVeigh author Dan Herbeck quizzed See also: 04 Jun 01 | Americas Prosecutors oppose McVeigh delay 31 May 01 | Americas McVeigh's on-off date with death 16 May 01 | Americas FBI admits McVeigh blunder 12 Apr 01 | Americas Live from death row Internet links: US Department of Justice Oklahoma City memorial 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Transcript of the Oklahoma bombing trial Amnesty International The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Americas stories now: Bush vows action after scandals 'White supremacists' on trial in Boston WorldCom chiefs refuse to testify Canada blazes send smoke south Pentagon team to examine bomb error Hundreds mourn LA airport victims New hope for Aids vaccine Texas pleads for more flood aid Links to more Americas stories are at the foot of the page. 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