THEThe number of executions recorded in 2022 is the highest for five years. There were 883 executions in 20 states, with a 53 percent increase over 2021. An increase that does not take into account the thousands of death sentences allegedly carried out in China, North Korea and Vietnam, where executions are surrounded by secrecy. The data from Amnesty International’s annual report on the death penalty in the world speak for themselves. It is not a good time for human rights in the world.
«The value of life in many countries it is less important than compliance with the law,” he says Ileana Bello, director general of Amnesty International Italy. “From Iran to Egypt, people are being executed for simple dissent, with the explicit involvement of the state.”
Amnesty International and human rights. «Executions increased by 53%»
One fact, in particular, is worrying. And that is that 90 percent of the recorded executions, therefore excluding the China, took place in just three countries in the Middle East – North Africa area. In Iran they rose from 314 in 2021 to 576 in 2022. In Saudi Arabia they tripled, from 65 in 2021 to 196 in 2022, the highest number recorded by Amnesty International in 30 years. Still in Egypt 24 prisoners were executed.
The situation is serious but “frustration must lead us to act better and not less”. In the history of Amnesty but, in general, of human rights campaigns around the world, the mobilization of citizens has been decisive many times.
In many countries, international pressure cyclically leads to what Bello defines as “facade amnesties, which also lead to saving the lives of many people”.
Ileana Bello, since June 2022 she has been the general director of Amnesty International Italy.
States that have abolished the death penalty
Hence the importance of collecting signatures and involving private citizens, volunteers and activists in the mobilizations for the various causes. «If many people come together and embrace a story, even an individual one, their voice is heard. We have seen it many times», assures Bello. Since its foundation in 1961, Amnesty International’s efforts have saved some 50,000 people.
«The signs of the importance that collective mobilization can have are there, even today. Just think about the six states that, in 2022, have abolished all or part of the death penalty. (Kazakhstan, Papua New Guinea, Central African Republic and Sierra Leone for all offences, Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe for common offences).
A positive trend that is continuing in 2023. Abolitionist law initiatives have been launched in Liberia and Ghana. The governments of the Maldive Islands and Sri Lanka have announced that they will not follow up on the death sentences. Bills to cancel the mandatory death penalty are under discussion in the Malaysian parliament.
Women’s commitment to human rights
Among the causes in which Amnesty is asking for involvement at this moment, many are women’s stories. «Never before have women been protagonists, activists and often victims of battles for human rights. the case ofIran it is enlightening. But I would also like to mention the Saturday Mothers That in Türkiye every Saturday in front of Galatasaray high school they ask the authorities to account for the fate of their loved ones. Or the battle of colombian for the legalization of abortion”.
The stories of Sasha, Justyna and Mona
Many women have also spoken out against Putin and the invasion of Ukraine. For all, «I would like to mention the case of Alexandra “Sasha” Skochilenko. On March 31, 2022, he replaced the price tags of a St. Petersburg supermarket with small paper labels containing information about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He is in prison today, and risks staying there for 10 years ».
Another incredible female story is that of the Polish activist Justyna Wydrzyńska, convicted of helping a woman who became pregnant after sexual assault access the abortion pill.
Or that of the human rights lawyer Chow Hang Tung, imprisoned in Hong-Kong in September 2021 for organizing the vigil to commemorate the Tiananmen Square massacre. You are accused of “endangering national security” through completely peaceful actions.
Or, still that of Mona Eltahawyleader of a real movement against women’s oppression in the Arab world (began to report abuse suffered at the age of 15 during a religious pilgrimage to Mecca). Will be in Italy, at the Turin Book Fair, to present his book Seven Necessary Sins”the plurals.
In addition to the mobilization and the collection of signatures, Amnesty International has also activated a campaign for the 5×1000, #Amnestyseitu.
iO Woman © REPRODUCTION RESERVED