Comment: Some of the dissidents in 'first world' countries are executed as well.  If we (rightfully) consider the Native peoples of the United States dissidents (for contesting the repeated  revision of treaties by the federal govt), then what does that make US/us?   Execution doesn't necessarily need to be a firing squad.  

I do agree with your other points, though.  And, in similar concert, though 'commie' China continues to restrict its people, it has evolved significantly since Nixon's trip there.  Odd how China started down a more ~civil course of economics, while Russia remains grotesquely corrupt.  (China isn't perfect or even remotely so... but Russia is downright evil)