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First Third Of 2024 In Saudi Arabia: Executions Rise By 189% And Portend Another Bloody Year. At Least 71 Currently Facing Execution.

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Since the beginning of 2024 until the end of April, the Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia announced the execution of 55 individuals. This figure constitutes a 189% increase compared to the executions in the first third of 2023, which witnessed 19 executions. The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights views these numbers as a clear indication of the Saudi government's continued approach towards executing and issuing death sentences, and that the promises made in recent years have become elusive.

Amnesty International Condemns Hangings in Japan

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Execution chamber
at Tokyo Detention Center
Amnesty International said today that Japan's decision to hang three prisoners after nearly 2 years without executions is a huge step backwards for a country that has taken positive steps over the last year in terms of the death penalty.

Justice Minister Toshio Ogawa authorized the executions of 3 men, hanged in jails in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Fukuoka, explaining that this was his 'duty' as minister.

"Today's hangings are a huge step backwards," said Catherine Baber, Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific deputy director. "They bring Japan back into the minority of countries which still execute civilians. Justifying acts which violate human rights as a 'minister's duty' is unacceptable. Leaders have a responsibility to address crime without resorting to the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment."

Tomoyuki Furusawa, 46, was executed at Tokyo detention center; Yasuaki Uwabe, 48, was executed at Hiroshima detention center; and Yasutoshi Matsuda, 44, was executed in Fukuoka.

Uwabe’s lawyers raised concerns that Uwabe suffered from mental illness, but the courts ruled he was competent to stand trial.

Executions in Japan are done by hanging and usually carried out in secret. Prisoners are typically given little or no warning before they are executed.

Amnesty International called on Japan to join the more than 2/3 of countries worldwide that have abolished the death penalty in law or practice and declare a moratorium on executions.

Source: Associated Press, March 29, 2012
Location: Japan
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