Extra folks have been executed in 2024 than in another yr over the previous decade, primarily reflecting an enormous enhance in executions in Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, in keeping with Amnesty Worldwide’s annual report on using the loss of life penalty.
The human rights NGO stated that though the variety of nations finishing up executions was the bottom on report, it had confirmed 1,518 executions globally in 2024, a 32% enhance over the earlier yr and the best because the 1,634 carried out in 2015.
The true complete was far greater, Amnesty added, as a result of its determine didn’t embody 1000’s believed to have been executed in China, the world’s largest executioner, or North Korea and Vietnam, additionally thought to make use of the loss of life penalty extensively.
Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, which accounted for 91% of executions worldwide, have been accountable for the rise. Iraq nearly quadrupled its executions from at the least 16 to at the least 63 and Saudi Arabia doubled its yearly complete from 172 to at the least 345.
Iran executed 119 extra folks than in 2023, elevating its tally to at the least 972 – a determine that included 30 girls and represented 64% of the worldwide complete. All recognized executions in Iraq have been for terrorism offences, whereas about half of these in Iran have been for drug-related offences.
Different nations the place executions elevated included Egypt (from eight in 2023 to 13 final yr); Singapore, the place executions practically doubled (from 5 to 9); and Yemen, the place the entire greater than doubled from at the least 15 to at the least 38.
The entire of 25 executions within the US was yet another than in 2023 and essentially the most since 2018. The interval studied covers Joe Biden’s final yr in workplace. His successor, Donald Trump, has stated he goals to “vigorously pursue” the loss of life penalty as a instrument to guard folks “from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters”.
Solely 15 nations have been recognized to have executed folks in 2024, the bottom on report for the second yr working, Amnesty stated, including that 113 nations have been now absolutely abolitionist and 145 had abolished the loss of life penalty in regulation or in apply.
The marketing campaign organisation additionally famous that a number of nations had legally restricted their use of the loss of life penalty, and that for the primary time, greater than two-thirds of all UN member states had voted in favour of a decision on a moratorium.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty Worldwide’s secretary common, stated it was clear that nations that retained the loss of life penalty have been an “remoted minority”. She added that the tide was turning towards “a merciless, inhuman and degrading punishment”.
However Callamard stated the loss of life penalty was nonetheless being weaponised in some nations below the “false pretence” it might enhance public security, and in others resembling Iran and Saudi Arabia to silence political dissent from “these courageous sufficient to talk out”.
Amnesty additionally famous that greater than 40% of executions in 2024 have been carried out for drug-related offences, which it stated was not solely illegal below worldwide human rights regulation and requirements however had no confirmed impact in decreasing drug trafficking.
Supply hyperlink
