September 2007: Tehran, Iran. Photo of an executioner moments before execution of two Iranian youth.

Facts about death penalty:

• 129 countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice.  Only 25 countries actually carried out executions in 2006.
• In 2006, 91% of all known executions took place in China , Iran , Iraq , Pakistan , Sudan and the USA .
• In the Americas only the USA has carried out executions since 2003.
• Europe is almost a death penalty free zone the exception of  Belarus.
• In Africa only six states carried out executions in 2006.
• There has been an an overall decline in the number of known executions in 2006:  (1591 executions compared to 2,148 in 2005).
• China holds the highest record of executions
• Iran holds the highest percentage of executions in comparison to its population
• Iran holds the highest record of children executed since 1990
• Iran  has the highest number of children facing execution (80) followed by Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Sudan (2 each-known)
• List of countries and their official position on executions (Jan 1, 2007): https://www.stopchildexecutions.com/legal&reports/A.R.Countries.ACT5000107.pdf