DATE=04/09/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=AMNESTY INT'L / DEATH PENALTY

NUMBER=2-288487

BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK

DATELINE=GENEVA

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Amnesty International launched its annual report on the death penalty

during the U-N Human Rights Commission's proceedings in Geneva. It says

the figures for China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United States accounted

for 90 per cent of all known executions last year. Dale Gavlak reports from

Geneva.

TEXT: Amnesty International says executions around the world doubled last

year from the previous year with over 3,048 people executed in 31 countries.

It says it is impossible to provide a complete total because many countries deliberately keep the number of executions secret.

It says the figure has risen dramatically mainly because China has used the

death penalty as part of its crackdown on crime.

Amnesty spokeswoman Judit Arenas says China executed 1,781 people between

April and July of last year as part of its national "strike hard" campaign

against crime. The figure is more than the total number of people executed

in the rest of the world during the past three years.

Ms. Arenas says that China executed a total of 2,468 people in 2001.

///ARENAS ACT///

The majority of executions in China do take place in mass sentencing

rallies, so they largely tend to be connected with drug-related offenses or

corruption offenses as opposed to violent crimes.

///END ACT///

Ms. Arenas says Iran follows China with at least 139 executions. Saudi

Arabia and the United States follow Iran with 79 and 66 executions

respectively.

Ms. Arenas says Amnesty International wants the U-N Human Rights Commission

to vote against the use of the death penalty and urge an immediate worldwide

moratorium on executions.

///ARENAS ACT///

Despite a huge amount of public pressure, despite clear legal rulings and

clear legal decisions, that the death penalty should not be applied.

Despite evidence to prove that it is not a deterrent, despite evidence that

innocent people are actually executed, certain government pursue this.

///END ACT///

Each year, the Commission considers whether to stop the use of the death

penalty, but it has to no power to force countries to comply.

Ms. Arenas expressed Amnesty's concern about the possible use of the death

penalty by U-S military commissions set up to try those charged in the

September 11th terrorist attacks. The death penalty can be handed down if

the commission members reach a unanimous guilty verdict. U-S prosecutors

have sought the death penalty against Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person so

far charged in those attacks. (Signed)

NEB/DG/SAB