According to Amnesty International, at least 5,837 executions were carried out in 22 countries and territories in 2010. This article looks at the top 10 countries with death penalties and capital punishment. It also examines those who use it and are out of control.
1. China:
Statistics: 3400 executions in 2004
470 executions in 2008
5000 executions in 2010
Source: Amnesty International
Crimes: Drug trafficking, terrorism, producing or distributing poisonous and harmful goods, sex trafficking and credit card frauds. There are 68 crimes in total.
Description: China does not release its numbers of those executed. Scholars believe the numbers are higher than Amnesty International is providing. All in all, 60-80% of worldwide executions are done in China.
2. United States:
Statistics: 34 of 50 States exercise a legal form of capital punishment
52 executions in 2009
37 executions in 2008
98 executions in 1999
Crimes: Homicide, espionage, treason
Description: The number of death sentences has decreased. Texas continues to be the state with the most executions. They have executed 473 individuals since 1976.
3. Saudi Arabia:
Statistics: 39 executions in 2006
144 executions in 2007
27 executions in 2010
Crimes: Murder, rape, adultery, robbery, drug use, trafficking and abandoning Islam
Description: Capital punishment in Saudi Arabia is a public spectacle. Murder is grounds for decapitation.
4. Iran:
Statistics: 177 executions in 2006
317 executions in 2007
312 executions in 2010
Crimes: Murder, rape, adultery, robbery, drug use, trafficking, pedophilia, homosexuality, espionage
Description: Iran has been lethal in its capital punishment methods. It has resorted to stoning and has executed minors. There are two types of capital punishments: 1) retribution-for murder; 2) regular for crimes such as rape and robbery.
5. North Korea:
Statistics: 60 executions in 2010
75 executions between 2007 and 2010
Crimes: Murder, theft, political dissidence, treason, espionage, defection, looking at media not approved by government.
Description: Executions are done in public places by firing squads. Most recently in 2007, a stone cutting factory chief was executed for not providing info about father’s background. The victim was 74 years old.