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Pakistan 'tops death row league' Pakistan 'tops death row league'
(20 minutes later)
Pakistan has more people imprisoned facing execution than any other country in the world, human rights group Amnesty International says.Pakistan has more people imprisoned facing execution than any other country in the world, human rights group Amnesty International says.
Nearly a third of the world's 24,000 death row prisoners are in Pakistan - "often held in extremely over-crowded conditions", Amnesty says.Nearly a third of the world's 24,000 death row prisoners are in Pakistan - "often held in extremely over-crowded conditions", Amnesty says.
Its annual report on the death penalty said the number of people executed in 2006 fell by 25%, compared with 2005.Its annual report on the death penalty said the number of people executed in 2006 fell by 25%, compared with 2005.
But Pakistan was one of a few countries where executions rose sharply.But Pakistan was one of a few countries where executions rose sharply.
Pakistan's interior minister has dismissed any suggestion of abolishing the death penalty.Pakistan's interior minister has dismissed any suggestion of abolishing the death penalty.
Map of executions in 2006Map of executions in 2006
'Grim toll''Grim toll'
The Amnesty report said that at least 1,591 people had been executed in 25 countries last year, compared with 2,148 people in 2005.The Amnesty report said that at least 1,591 people had been executed in 25 countries last year, compared with 2,148 people in 2005.
Capital punishment is always cruel and unnecessary and doesn't deter crime Kate Allen, Amnesty International Death row man's freedom Capital punishment is always cruel and unnecessary and doesn't deter crime Kate Allen, Amnesty International Death row man's freedom
It said the vast majority of those executed in 2006 were in China (1,010), followed by Iran (177), Pakistan (82), Iraq (65), Sudan (65) and the US (53).It said the vast majority of those executed in 2006 were in China (1,010), followed by Iran (177), Pakistan (82), Iraq (65), Sudan (65) and the US (53).
The figure in Pakistan had nearly trebled from 31 the previous year, Amnesty said.The figure in Pakistan had nearly trebled from 31 the previous year, Amnesty said.
The group's UK Director, Kate Allen, said: "Last year saw a slight drop in execution numbers but it was another grim death toll around the world.The group's UK Director, Kate Allen, said: "Last year saw a slight drop in execution numbers but it was another grim death toll around the world.
"We are particularly concerned about a disturbing 'revival' of executions in countries like Iraq, Sudan and Pakistan."We are particularly concerned about a disturbing 'revival' of executions in countries like Iraq, Sudan and Pakistan.
Briton Mirza Tahir Hussain spent years on Pakistan's death row
"We urgently need to see 'death penalty governments' issuing bans on all imminent executions, especially President Musharraf in Pakistan.""We urgently need to see 'death penalty governments' issuing bans on all imminent executions, especially President Musharraf in Pakistan."
However, Pakistani Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao told the BBC: "We have our own laws, inherited from British times and they are applied very judiciously.However, Pakistani Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao told the BBC: "We have our own laws, inherited from British times and they are applied very judiciously.
READ THE REPORT Amnesty International: Stop the state killing [92.9KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
"We feel that the death sentence is a deterrent, without it maybe there would be more cases of serious crimes like murders.""We feel that the death sentence is a deterrent, without it maybe there would be more cases of serious crimes like murders."
Amnesty says 91% of all executions take place in the six countries listed above. Many are sentenced after torture and unfair trials, the group says.Amnesty says 91% of all executions take place in the six countries listed above. Many are sentenced after torture and unfair trials, the group says.
Amnesty says that more than 7,200 people are on death row in Pakistan, a figure which was roughly similar six months ago.Amnesty says that more than 7,200 people are on death row in Pakistan, a figure which was roughly similar six months ago.
But the sharp jump in numbers of people being executed makes this a particularly deadly combination, the group says.But the sharp jump in numbers of people being executed makes this a particularly deadly combination, the group says.
It criticised death row conditions in Pakistan.It criticised death row conditions in Pakistan.
"In some cases 12 death row prisoners are reportedly being held in 4m-by-3m cells designed for one person," the group said."In some cases 12 death row prisoners are reportedly being held in 4m-by-3m cells designed for one person," the group said.
It said wealthier convicts were often able to escape execution under laws which allow relatives of murder victims to accept compensation and pardon the offender.It said wealthier convicts were often able to escape execution under laws which allow relatives of murder victims to accept compensation and pardon the offender.
Trend 'down'Trend 'down'
Amnesty said its execution figures were "minimum only" and that countries like China killed far more people than official statistics showed. Amnesty said its execution figures were "minimum only" and that countries like China killed far more people than official statistics showed.Briton Mirza Tahir Hussain spent years on Pakistan's death row
But the report did note new safeguards in China meaning that all death sentences now had to be approved by China's Supreme People's Court.But the report did note new safeguards in China meaning that all death sentences now had to be approved by China's Supreme People's Court.
And it said "the underlying global trend is towards less frequent usage and lower numbers of death sentences being imposed".And it said "the underlying global trend is towards less frequent usage and lower numbers of death sentences being imposed".
To date 128 countries had abolished the death penalty, with the Philippines the latest of 30 states to do so in the past 10 years.To date 128 countries had abolished the death penalty, with the Philippines the latest of 30 states to do so in the past 10 years.
"While 69 countries still retain the punishment less than half that number are currently carrying out executions," the report said."While 69 countries still retain the punishment less than half that number are currently carrying out executions," the report said.
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