Jordan: execution of 15 people “horrific”

Reacting to news that Jordan ended an eight-year moratorium on the death penalty to execute 15 people, Samah Hadid, Deputy Director at Amnesty International’s Beirut regional office, said:

Reacting to news that Jordan executed 15 people, Samah Hadid, Deputy Director at Amnesty International’s Beirut regional office, said:.

“The horrific scale and secrecy around these executions is shocking.”

“This is a major step backwards for both Jordan and efforts to end the death penalty – a senseless and ineffective means of administering justice. Jordan had for years been a leading example in a region where recourse to the death penalty is all too frequent.

“There is no evidence that the death penalty addresses violent crime, including terrorism-related offences. Hanging people will not improve public security.”

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty at all times – regardless of who is accused, the crime, guilt or innocence or method of execution.