Countries in the Middle East and North Africa were guilty of state-sanctioned "killing sprees" with executions notably surging in Saudi, Iran and Egypt, it said. That violates international human rights law, which permits executions only for crimes that involve intentional killing, according to the campaign group. **- Glimmer of hope -**However, Amnesty also found a "glimmer of hope" in six countries partially or fully abolishing the death penalty last year, many in Africa. "The brutal actions of countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia as well as China, North Korea and Vietnam are now firmly in the minority," Callamard said. "These countries should urgently catch up with the times, protect human rights, and execute justice rather than people."

Source: The North Africa Journal May 16, 2023 10:05 UTC