The year 2024 has witnessed a significant surge in executions, reaching the highest levels in a decade, primarily due to alarming increases in Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. According to Amnesty International’s latest report on the death penalty, a staggering 1,518 executions occurred worldwide, marking a 32% rise from the previous year, the highest total since 2015’s 1,634 executions.
Amnesty’s data, although concerning, does not encompass the thousands believed to have been executed in countries like China, the leading executioner globally, as well as North Korea and Vietnam, both of which are suspected of extensive use of the death penalty. Notably, the trio of Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia comprised 91% of the global execution figures, with Iraq’s executions escalating nearly fourfold and Saudi Arabia doubling its own.
In Iran alone, executions rose by 119 compared to 2023, bringing the total to at least 972, which included 30 women. This staggering figure represents 64% of the total executions worldwide. In Iraq, all executions pertained to terrorism offences, while half of Iran’s were linked to drug crimes. Other notable increases in executions occurred in Egypt, Singapore, and Yemen, highlighting a worrying trend.
In the United States, the total number of executions also saw a slight uptick, with 25 reported in 2024; this represents the highest figure since 2018 and coincides with Joe Biden’s last year in office. His successor, Donald Trump, has signalled a robust stance on the death penalty, framing it as essential for public safety.
Despite these harsh realities, the overall landscape is shifting towards abolition, with only 15 countries executing individuals in 2024—the lowest recorded figure for two years running. More than two-thirds of UN member states voted in favour of a moratorium on the death penalty, demonstrating a global move towards reducing or eliminating such practices.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, expressed concern that countries still employing the death penalty are an “isolated minority”. She underscored the unjust application of the death penalty under the guise of public safety and as a tool for political repression, particularly in nations like Iran and Saudi Arabia. Amnesty also highlighted that over 40% of all executions in 2024 were related to drug offences, asserting that such actions violate international human rights law and do not effectively curb drug trafficking.
In 2024, executions reached a decade-high of 1,518, with alarming increases in Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Although fewer countries are conducting executions, over 40% are for drug-related offences, violating human rights standards. The global trend indicates more nations moving towards abolition, yet the death penalty remains a tool for oppression in certain states.
The stark figures from 2024 paint a troubling picture of global execution rates, predominantly driven by Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. While there is a clear trend toward the abolition of the death penalty, the persistence of executions in certain countries raises grave human rights concerns. As the international community increasingly advocates for a moratorium, the continued weaponisation of the death penalty under false pretenses highlights the need for reform and awareness on a global scale.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
