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While the death penalty was outlawed in the Philippines and replaced with life imprisonment
and reclusion perpetua (detention of indefinite length, usually for around 30 years) through the
passing of Republic Act No. 9346 in 2006, Filipinos are still vulnerable and sometimes subjected
to capital punishment all around the world.
According to Amnesty International, the death penalty still exists in 58 countries as of December
2014.
Take a look at 20 of these nations and examines the type of death penalties they each observe.
By shooting/firing squad:
Indonesia
The Penal Code of Indonesia states that death-sentenced inmates are to be executed by firing
squad, out of public view. The inmate is informed of his or her execution only 72 hours in
advance. The inmate can stand or sit, and have his or her eyes covered by a blindfold or a hood.
Three of the members of the firing squad are then equipped with rifles loaded with live
ammunition, while the other 9 members are loaded with blanks. The squad must then fire from a
distance of between 5 and 10 meters. If the inmate still shows signs of life after the shooting, one
final shot to the head is administered.
United Arab Emirates
Although the United Arab Emirates cites stoning as a religiously stipulated punishment under
Shari’a law, execution reports suggest that the Emirates only participates in executions by firing
squad. The last execution documented in the country was in January 2014, when a Sri Lankan
man was executed by firing squad for murdering an Emirati in 2006.
By hanging:
Malaysia
Malaysia’s Criminal Procedure Code states that death sentences must be carried out by hanging.
Pregnant women and children, however, may not be sentenced to death. The country tends to
hold executions with great secrecy, without prior or posthumous announcements. In January
2015, however, a South African man in Kuala Lumpur was reported to have been sentenced to
death for smuggling methamphetamine into Malaysia.
Singapore
The Criminal Procedure Code of Singapore cites hanging as its sole method of execution. The
country’s last execution was held in April 2015, when a Singaporean man was executed for
committing murder in 2005.
Japan
The Penal Code of Japan cites hanging as the country’s only method of execution. Hanging must
take place in an execution site within a penal institution. It may not happen on a weekend or
during a public holiday. The date of the execution is kept secret, including to the prisoner and the
prisoner’s family. The prisoner is notified of his or her hanging only on the morning of the
execution. The country’s last execution was held in June 2014, when a man was hanged for
stabbing 3 people to death after breaking into their home.
Iraq
Iraq’s Penal Code lists hanging as the country’s main method of execution. The Military and
Internal Security Forces laws, however, provide for death by firing squad instead of hanging. In
March 2015, 6 Iraqis were executed by hanging for terrorist actions.
Syria
Syria’s Penal Code cites hanging as its method of execution in the case of ordinary persons,
while shooting is known to be the method of execution for military personnel. The country’s last
execution was reported to have taken place in August 2013, when thousands of detainees were
discovered to have fallen victim to systematic killing and torture.
By lethal injection:
Thailand
Thailand amended its Criminal Code in 2003, changing its sole method of execution from
execution by firing squad to execution by lethal injection. In June 2007, a number of Thais and
several foreigners from Burma, Laos, China, Malaysia and Nigeria were reported to have been
awaiting lethal injection.
Vietnam
In June 2010, Vietnam’s National Assembly voted to replace shooting with lethal injection in the
Vietnam Criminal Procedure Code. The country’s last execution was held in July 2014, when 3
prisoners were executed for crimes including robbery and murder.
By beheading:
Saudi Arabia
The death penalty in the country is entirely dependent on the Shari’ah or Islamic law. According
to Amnesty International, beheading or decapitation is normally performed publicly. The
country’s last execution was held in January 2015, when two Saudis were beheaded for drug
trafficking.
Multiple/Other methods of execution:
In Asia:
Taiwan
According to the Ministry of Justice’s Regulations for Carrying Out Executions, executions must
be carried out by gunshot or lethal injection. When a prisoner is to be executed via gunshot, the
prisoner lies face down on a mattress on the floor and is shot from behind 3 times at close range
after a medical practitioner marks where his heart is. Families are informed of the executions
only afterwards, when they are called to collect the prisoner’s body. In April 2010, Taiwan
executed 4 inmates convicted of crimes including murder and kidnapping.
China
Although the Chinese government does not release the number of executions it carries out,
a 2014 report from Amnesty International estimated that thousands of criminals are executed and
sentenced to death in China every year. The country last executed a former billionaire mining
tycoon in February 2015 for murder, gun-running and other “mafia-style” crimes.
India
Although hanging is listed as India’s preferred method of execution in the Indian Criminal
Procedure Code, the country’s 1950 Army Act also lists shooting as an official method of
execution in the military court-martial system. Its last execution was held in 2013, when a 2001
parliament attack case convict was hanged.
North Korea
The North Korea Criminal Code cites execution as the “extinguishing of bodily life,” therefore,
the country does not distinguish among specific methods of execution. InJanuary 2015, North
Korean Leader Kim Jong Un was reported to have executed an army general for having interests
different from his own.
Iran
Iran has been known to use several methods of execution including hanging, shooting, beheading
and stoning. Despite a 2008 judicial moratorium on public executions, hangings are still often
made public. According to an Iran Human Rights’ Annual Report on the Death Penalty, there
were reportedly 60 confirmed public executions in 2012. The last documented Iranian execution
was held in January 2015, when 17 prisoners were executed for several crimes, including drug
trafficking and rape.
Kuwait
The Kuwait Penal Code lists both hanging and shooting by firing squad as the country’s methods
of execution. Its last execution was held in April 2013, when 3 men – a Pakistani, a Saudi, and a
stateless Arab – were hanged for acts of murder.
In other parts of the world:
Egypt
The Egypt Penal Code states that any person sentenced to capital punishment must be hanged. Its
last execution was held in March 2015, when a murder convict was hanged for his involvement
in the violence that followed the overthrowing of President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.
United States of America
Many states use several methods of execution, including lethal injection, electrocution, gas
chamber, hanging and firing squad. But states such as New Mexico and Connecticut have already
abolished the death penalty. The country’s last execution was held in April 2015, when a
Missouri inmate was executed for severely injuring his own wife and stabbing another man to
death.
Ethiopia
The country's Criminal Code bars public hanging and other inhuman methods of execution. The
method of execution, however, can still be determined by the executive body responsible for
administration of the prison where the execution will be held. The country’s last execution was
held in August 2007, when a major in the Ethiopian army was executed by firing squad for
murdering the head of the intelligence and security services in 2001.
Botswana
The Penal Code of Botswana specifies that prisoners sentenced to death must be hanged by the
neck. The Botswana Defense Force Act, however, allows the president to determine the
prisoner’s manner of execution. The country’s last execution was held in May 2013, when 4
people were hanged for killing a farmer in Hamra Al-Sheikh.
Key facts about the Nepal quake
A 7.8-magnitude quake struck Nepal on Saturday, April 25, flattening large parts of the capital
Kathmandu and causing devastation across the impoverished Himalayan nation.
Here are the key facts about Nepal's worst natural disaster in 80 years.
Death toll
5,057 people are known to have died in Nepal alone
8,000 were injured
18 climbers died at Mount Everest base camp when the quake sparked an
avalanche
5 foreigners (2 Americans, an Australian, a Japanese and a Chinese national)
were among the victims on the mountain
74 people were killed in India
25 lost their lives in China, according to the ministry of civil affairs in Tibet
Survivors
8 million are estimated to have been affected, according to the United Nations
1.3 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, according to the UN
1.4 million people require emergency food aid, the World Food Programme says
Aid
Dozens of countries from around the world have rushed to pledge money. The most significant
sums include:
$15 million from the UN's emergency fund
$15 million total contributed by Britain
$10 million pledged by the United States
$8.4 million from Japan, according to local media
$4.7 million from Australia
Reconstruction
530,000 houses were estimated to be damaged, based on the UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
70,000 houses were destroyed, OCHA said
90% of health facilities in four districts were severely damaged, the UN agency
said
16,000 schools were damaged, according to OCHA
$5 billion , or around 20 percent of the country's GDP, is estimated to be the
reconstruction cost, based on business research IHS
and reclusion perpetua (detention of indefinite length, usually for around 30 years) through the
passing of Republic Act No. 9346 in 2006, Filipinos are still vulnerable and sometimes subjected
to capital punishment all around the world.
According to Amnesty International, the death penalty still exists in 58 countries as of December
2014.
Take a look at 20 of these nations and examines the type of death penalties they each observe.
By shooting/firing squad:
Indonesia
The Penal Code of Indonesia states that death-sentenced inmates are to be executed by firing
squad, out of public view. The inmate is informed of his or her execution only 72 hours in
advance. The inmate can stand or sit, and have his or her eyes covered by a blindfold or a hood.
Three of the members of the firing squad are then equipped with rifles loaded with live
ammunition, while the other 9 members are loaded with blanks. The squad must then fire from a
distance of between 5 and 10 meters. If the inmate still shows signs of life after the shooting, one
final shot to the head is administered.
United Arab Emirates
Although the United Arab Emirates cites stoning as a religiously stipulated punishment under
Shari’a law, execution reports suggest that the Emirates only participates in executions by firing
squad. The last execution documented in the country was in January 2014, when a Sri Lankan
man was executed by firing squad for murdering an Emirati in 2006.
By hanging:
Malaysia
Malaysia’s Criminal Procedure Code states that death sentences must be carried out by hanging.
Pregnant women and children, however, may not be sentenced to death. The country tends to
hold executions with great secrecy, without prior or posthumous announcements. In January
2015, however, a South African man in Kuala Lumpur was reported to have been sentenced to
death for smuggling methamphetamine into Malaysia.
Singapore
The Criminal Procedure Code of Singapore cites hanging as its sole method of execution. The
country’s last execution was held in April 2015, when a Singaporean man was executed for
committing murder in 2005.
Japan
The Penal Code of Japan cites hanging as the country’s only method of execution. Hanging must
take place in an execution site within a penal institution. It may not happen on a weekend or
during a public holiday. The date of the execution is kept secret, including to the prisoner and the
prisoner’s family. The prisoner is notified of his or her hanging only on the morning of the
execution. The country’s last execution was held in June 2014, when a man was hanged for
stabbing 3 people to death after breaking into their home.
Iraq
Iraq’s Penal Code lists hanging as the country’s main method of execution. The Military and
Internal Security Forces laws, however, provide for death by firing squad instead of hanging. In
March 2015, 6 Iraqis were executed by hanging for terrorist actions.
Syria
Syria’s Penal Code cites hanging as its method of execution in the case of ordinary persons,
while shooting is known to be the method of execution for military personnel. The country’s last
execution was reported to have taken place in August 2013, when thousands of detainees were
discovered to have fallen victim to systematic killing and torture.
By lethal injection:
Thailand
Thailand amended its Criminal Code in 2003, changing its sole method of execution from
execution by firing squad to execution by lethal injection. In June 2007, a number of Thais and
several foreigners from Burma, Laos, China, Malaysia and Nigeria were reported to have been
awaiting lethal injection.
Vietnam
In June 2010, Vietnam’s National Assembly voted to replace shooting with lethal injection in the
Vietnam Criminal Procedure Code. The country’s last execution was held in July 2014, when 3
prisoners were executed for crimes including robbery and murder.
By beheading:
Saudi Arabia
The death penalty in the country is entirely dependent on the Shari’ah or Islamic law. According
to Amnesty International, beheading or decapitation is normally performed publicly. The
country’s last execution was held in January 2015, when two Saudis were beheaded for drug
trafficking.
Multiple/Other methods of execution:
In Asia:
Taiwan
According to the Ministry of Justice’s Regulations for Carrying Out Executions, executions must
be carried out by gunshot or lethal injection. When a prisoner is to be executed via gunshot, the
prisoner lies face down on a mattress on the floor and is shot from behind 3 times at close range
after a medical practitioner marks where his heart is. Families are informed of the executions
only afterwards, when they are called to collect the prisoner’s body. In April 2010, Taiwan
executed 4 inmates convicted of crimes including murder and kidnapping.
China
Although the Chinese government does not release the number of executions it carries out,
a 2014 report from Amnesty International estimated that thousands of criminals are executed and
sentenced to death in China every year. The country last executed a former billionaire mining
tycoon in February 2015 for murder, gun-running and other “mafia-style” crimes.
India
Although hanging is listed as India’s preferred method of execution in the Indian Criminal
Procedure Code, the country’s 1950 Army Act also lists shooting as an official method of
execution in the military court-martial system. Its last execution was held in 2013, when a 2001
parliament attack case convict was hanged.
North Korea
The North Korea Criminal Code cites execution as the “extinguishing of bodily life,” therefore,
the country does not distinguish among specific methods of execution. InJanuary 2015, North
Korean Leader Kim Jong Un was reported to have executed an army general for having interests
different from his own.
Iran
Iran has been known to use several methods of execution including hanging, shooting, beheading
and stoning. Despite a 2008 judicial moratorium on public executions, hangings are still often
made public. According to an Iran Human Rights’ Annual Report on the Death Penalty, there
were reportedly 60 confirmed public executions in 2012. The last documented Iranian execution
was held in January 2015, when 17 prisoners were executed for several crimes, including drug
trafficking and rape.
Kuwait
The Kuwait Penal Code lists both hanging and shooting by firing squad as the country’s methods
of execution. Its last execution was held in April 2013, when 3 men – a Pakistani, a Saudi, and a
stateless Arab – were hanged for acts of murder.
In other parts of the world:
Egypt
The Egypt Penal Code states that any person sentenced to capital punishment must be hanged. Its
last execution was held in March 2015, when a murder convict was hanged for his involvement
in the violence that followed the overthrowing of President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.
United States of America
Many states use several methods of execution, including lethal injection, electrocution, gas
chamber, hanging and firing squad. But states such as New Mexico and Connecticut have already
abolished the death penalty. The country’s last execution was held in April 2015, when a
Missouri inmate was executed for severely injuring his own wife and stabbing another man to
death.
Ethiopia
The country's Criminal Code bars public hanging and other inhuman methods of execution. The
method of execution, however, can still be determined by the executive body responsible for
administration of the prison where the execution will be held. The country’s last execution was
held in August 2007, when a major in the Ethiopian army was executed by firing squad for
murdering the head of the intelligence and security services in 2001.
Botswana
The Penal Code of Botswana specifies that prisoners sentenced to death must be hanged by the
neck. The Botswana Defense Force Act, however, allows the president to determine the
prisoner’s manner of execution. The country’s last execution was held in May 2013, when 4
people were hanged for killing a farmer in Hamra Al-Sheikh.
Key facts about the Nepal quake
A 7.8-magnitude quake struck Nepal on Saturday, April 25, flattening large parts of the capital
Kathmandu and causing devastation across the impoverished Himalayan nation.
Here are the key facts about Nepal's worst natural disaster in 80 years.
Death toll
5,057 people are known to have died in Nepal alone
8,000 were injured
18 climbers died at Mount Everest base camp when the quake sparked an
avalanche
5 foreigners (2 Americans, an Australian, a Japanese and a Chinese national)
were among the victims on the mountain
74 people were killed in India
25 lost their lives in China, according to the ministry of civil affairs in Tibet
Survivors
8 million are estimated to have been affected, according to the United Nations
1.3 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, according to the UN
1.4 million people require emergency food aid, the World Food Programme says
Aid
Dozens of countries from around the world have rushed to pledge money. The most significant
sums include:
$15 million from the UN's emergency fund
$15 million total contributed by Britain
$10 million pledged by the United States
$8.4 million from Japan, according to local media
$4.7 million from Australia
Reconstruction
530,000 houses were estimated to be damaged, based on the UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
70,000 houses were destroyed, OCHA said
90% of health facilities in four districts were severely damaged, the UN agency
said
16,000 schools were damaged, according to OCHA
$5 billion , or around 20 percent of the country's GDP, is estimated to be the
reconstruction cost, based on business research IHS
