“The trend towards abolishing the death penalty is highlighted clearly in this report. The number of countries which no longer impose the death penalty increases every year. Countries such as Iran, China or North Korea are isolating themselves ever more on this issue. Even though more and more individual federal states have abolished the death penalty, the US must ask itself whether it really wants to belong to this group of countries.
However, the annual report also shows that campaigning for the abolition of the death penalty is worth the effort. This vindicates Germany’s efforts in this sphere. But this momentum is thanks first and foremost to Amnesty International. And I would like to sincerely thank all those who have championed this cause.”