Amnesty highlights 'disturbing rise' in global execution

Amnesty International says at least 1,634 people were executed in 2015, an increase of more than 50 per cent of  the previous year. 

In its review of the use of the death penalty, the group said Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were responsible for 89 per cent of the executions. 

The total however, does not include China, where Amnesty said thousands more were likely killed but records were kept secret.  

On the other hand, the group also notes that for the first time ever, a majority of the world's countries have fully abolished the death penalty.  

Fiji, Madagascar, Congo-Brazzaville and Suriname changed their laws in 2015, while Mongolia also passed a new criminal code that will take effect later this year.       


SOURCE: BBC news