The Death Penalty: An International Perspective
Abolitionist and Retentionist Countries
Executions Around the World
Foreign Nationals on United States' Death Rows
International News and Developments - Current Year
International News and Developments - Previous Years
2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1998-1999
DPIC Materials and Resources
"Changing Views on the Death Penalty in the United States," Paper delivered in Beijing, China, October 7, 2007, at the Conference on Alternatives to the Death Penalty in U.S.A and China by Richard C. Dieter
"The Status of the Death Penalty in the United States," by Richard C. Dieter, Prepared for the Subcommittee on Human Rights, European Parliament, January 29, 2007
"International Influence on the Death Penalty in the US" Foreign Service Journal, October 2003
Full Text of Richard Dieter's article from the October 2003 issue of Foreign Service Journal
"A Response to the Initial Report of the United States to the United Nations on the Race Convention" Richard Dieter's Ford Foundation Symposium Presentation, October 17, 2000
DPIC Report: "International Perspectives on the Death Penalty: A Costly Isolation for the US" (1999)
"The United States Death Penalty and International Law: US Compliance with the Torture and Race Conventions" Richard Dieter's Ford Foundation Symposium Presentation, November 12, 1998
In 2008, at least 2,390 people were executed in 25 countries around the world and 8,864 people were sentenced to death in 52 countries. Amnesty International reports that executions almost doubled in number from 1,252 in 2007. Ninety-five percent of all known executions were carried out in only six countries: China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Pakistan and Iraq.
| Countries with the Most Confirmed Executions in 2008 | |
| 1. China (1,718) | 4. United States (37) |
| 2. Iran (346) | 5. Pakistan (36) |
| 3. Saudi Arabia (102) | 6. Iraq (34) |
In 2007, a minimum of 1,252 people were executed in 24 countries and at least 3,347 people were sentenced to death in over 50 countries. Just five countries - China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the USA - carried out the overwhelming majority (88%) of known executions in the world last year. In China execution figures are a state secret meaning their total number of executions could be much higher.
| Countries with the Most Confirmed Executions in 2007 | |
| 1. China (470) | 4. Pakistan (135) |
| 2. Iran (317) | 5. United States (42) |
| 3. Saudi Arabia (143) | |
In 2006, there were 1,591 executions around the world. Amnesty International reported that executions worldwide fell by more than 25% in 2006, down from 2,148 in 2005 to 1,591. Of all known executions that took place in 2006, 91% were carried out in six countries: China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan and the United States.
| Countries with the Most Confirmed Executions in 2006 | |
| 1. China (1,010) | 4. Iraq (65) |
| 2. Iran (177) | 5. Sudan (65) |
| 3. Pakistan (82) | 6. United States (53) |
In 2005, there were at least 2,148 executions in 22 countries around the world. China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United States were responsible for 94 percent of these known executions. The following countries executed defendants in 2005 (figures are only of confirmed executions):
| Countries with the Most Confirmed Executions in 2005 | |
| 1. CHINA (1,770) | 6. Yemen (24) |
| 2. IRAN (94) | 7. Vietnam (21) |
| 3. SAUDI ARABIA (86) | 8. Jordan (11) |
| 4. UNITED STATES (60) | 9. Mongolia (8) |
| 5. Pakistan (31) | 10. Mongolia (8) |
Source: Amnesty International
Related Items
Read about the Third World Congress held in Paris, France during Feb. 2007.
View Amnesty International's animated slideshow "Death Penalty Stories" for stories about the death penalty around the world, narrated by Colin Firth.