Sadly the death penalty is back in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Following the high-profile execution of Troy Davis last year, despite 'too much doubt' that his conviction was safe, Amnesty and the media have recently been highlighting the case of Reggie Clemons, who faces execution in America in a case that again raises many doubts (Guardian article, 21 August).

In Gambia the sudden executions of 9 prisoners on 23 August were the first in over 25 years. The Gambian President is threatening to execute the remaining 38 prisoners on death row by mid-September. Many of these prisoners are charged with 'treason', a charge often used to punish political dissidents (Amnesty action).