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Global executions rose dramatically in 2024, reaching 1,518 recorded deaths across 15 countries—the highest figure since 2015—Amnesty International said Tuesday as it released its annual report on the use of the death penalty.
The 48-page report, Death Sentences and Executions 2024, found that Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia were responsible for 91% of known executions, with Iran alone accounting for nearly two-thirds. Amnesty warned that countries have continued to weaponize the death penalty to silence dissent, punish protesters, and to instill fear among vulnerable populations.
“This surge sends a chilling message,” said Amnesty’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard. “Those who dare challenge authorities have faced the cruelest of punishments, particularly in Iran and Saudi Arabia, with the death penalty used to silence those brave enough to speak out.”
Amnesty’s figures do not include the thousands of people believed to have been executed in China,—the world’s top executioner—nor do they reflect data from North Korea or Vietnam, where government secrecy prevails. Despite the overall rise in numbers, the 15 countries that carried out executions in 2024 represent the lowest total on record for the second consecutive year.
The report also highlights a rise in executions for drug-related offences, which Amnesty considers a violation of international law. Over 40% of all executions in 2024 were tied to drug charges—particularly in Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, and Singapore. Callamard condemned these actions as “ineffective and unlawful,” disproportionately impacting marginalized communities, and have shown no proven effect in deterring drug trafficking.
The report also noted concerning developments in Africa, where the Democratic Republic of Congo announced its intent to resume executions, and Burkina Faso’s military-led government proposed reintroducing the death penalty for ordinary crimes. In the United States, 26 people were executed in 2024, continuing a post-pandemic upward trend. Newly re-elected President Donald Trump publicly praised the death penalty, framing it as a tool to combat violent crime.
Despite these statistics, Amnesty pointed to signs of hope. Zimbabwe recently abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes, while reforms in Malaysia reduced the number of people at risk of execution by over 1,000. Similarly, Japan acquitted Hakamada Iwao—who spent nearly 50 years on death row—in September 2024. In the US, Alabama death row inmate Rocky Myers was granted clemency in March 2025 after a global campaign pushed to end his death sentence.
“Despite the minority of leaders determined to weaponize the death penalty, the tide is turning,” added Callamard. “It’s only a matter of time until the world is free from the shadows of the gallows.”
As of 2024, 113 countries have fully abolished the death penalty, and 145 are abolitionist in law or practice. In December, more than two-thirds of UN member states voted in favor of a moratorium on executions, underscoring the growing international consensus against capital punishment.
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The 48-page report, Death Sentences and Executions 2024, found that Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia were responsible for 91% of known executions, with Iran alone accounting for nearly two-thirds. Amnesty warned that countries have continued to weaponize the death penalty to silence dissent, punish protesters, and to instill fear among vulnerable populations.
“This surge sends a chilling message,” said Amnesty’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard. “Those who dare challenge authorities have faced the cruelest of punishments, particularly in Iran and Saudi Arabia, with the death penalty used to silence those brave enough to speak out.”
Amnesty’s figures do not include the thousands of people believed to have been executed in China,—the world’s top executioner—nor do they reflect data from North Korea or Vietnam, where government secrecy prevails. Despite the overall rise in numbers, the 15 countries that carried out executions in 2024 represent the lowest total on record for the second consecutive year.
The report also highlights a rise in executions for drug-related offences, which Amnesty considers a violation of international law. Over 40% of all executions in 2024 were tied to drug charges—particularly in Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, and Singapore. Callamard condemned these actions as “ineffective and unlawful,” disproportionately impacting marginalized communities, and have shown no proven effect in deterring drug trafficking.
The report also noted concerning developments in Africa, where the Democratic Republic of Congo announced its intent to resume executions, and Burkina Faso’s military-led government proposed reintroducing the death penalty for ordinary crimes. In the United States, 26 people were executed in 2024, continuing a post-pandemic upward trend. Newly re-elected President Donald Trump publicly praised the death penalty, framing it as a tool to combat violent crime.
Despite these statistics, Amnesty pointed to signs of hope. Zimbabwe recently abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes, while reforms in Malaysia reduced the number of people at risk of execution by over 1,000. Similarly, Japan acquitted Hakamada Iwao—who spent nearly 50 years on death row—in September 2024. In the US, Alabama death row inmate Rocky Myers was granted clemency in March 2025 after a global campaign pushed to end his death sentence.
“Despite the minority of leaders determined to weaponize the death penalty, the tide is turning,” added Callamard. “It’s only a matter of time until the world is free from the shadows of the gallows.”
As of 2024, 113 countries have fully abolished the death penalty, and 145 are abolitionist in law or practice. In December, more than two-thirds of UN member states voted in favor of a moratorium on executions, underscoring the growing international consensus against capital punishment.
The post Global executions surged to highest level since 2015, Amnesty reports appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.