Amnesty International annual report

Amnesty International in its annual report on the death penalty, published Tuesday challenged the Chinese government to publish the full number of people killed by the state alleging that China has executed far more prisoners than data indicate.

Of the former Soviet republics, it said Russia and Ukraine have not executed anyone in more than a decade.

Amnesty said that Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan have executed about 130 people between them over the past 10 years.

But since 2006, Belarus has been the only European state to carry out death sentences, including the execution of two convicts just two weeks ago.

Sri Lanka has been listed fifth in Known death sentences category in 2009.

Known executions Known executions total, 2009: Iran 388+ Iraq 120+ Saudi Arabia 69+ United States 52 Yemen 30+ Sudan 9+ Vietnam 9+ Syria 8+ Japan 7 Egypt 5+ Libya 4+ Bangladesh 3 Thailand 2 Bostwana 1 Singapore 1 China unknown, but believed to be thousands Malaysia unknown North Korea unknown

Known death sentences Known death sentences in 2009 (10 highest totals): Iraq 336+ Pakistan 276 Egypt 269+ Afghanistan 133+ Sri Lanka 108 United States 105+ Algeria 100+ Malaysia 68+ Bangladesh 64+ Sudan 60+

Amnesty has also tracked a spike in executions in Iraq, with the number reaching 120 in 2009.

Amnesty said Iran put 388 people to death in 2009 -- including at least 112 people killed in the two months following the country's disputed elections.