Spike in death sentences in 2014

An alarming number of countries are using the death penalty to tackle real or perceived threats to state security, according to Amnesty International
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DEATH SENTENCES: Excluding China, 2,466 people given death penalty in 2014 – up 28% from 2013

Top five sentencing countries

China 1,000+

Nigeria 659

Egypt 509+

Pakistan 231

Bangladesh 142+

EXECUTIONS: Excluding China, 607 people executed in 2014 – down 22% from 2013

Top five executing countries

China 1,000+

Iran 289+

Saudi Arabia 90+

Iraq 61+

U.S. 35

+ indicates minimum figure calculated
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Top five executing countries

Other executing countries

United States

Iraq

Iran

Saudi Arabia

China

1 2 3 4

Death penalty linked to security crackdown*
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1 Nigeria: Dozens of soldiers sentenced to death in past year after being convicted of mutiny over armed conflict with Islamist group Boko Haram

2 Egypt: Hundreds of people sentenced to death in mass trials over past two years in crackdown on Islamists. UN has described trials as “unprecedented”

3 Pakistan: Government has lifted seven-year moratorium on executions in wake of Taliban massacre at school in Peshawar in December 2014

4 China: Has made use of death penalty as tool in campaign characterized by authorities as response to terrorism in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region
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Source: Amnesty International

Picture: AP

*Selected countries only

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