Importance Score: 85 / 100 🟢
Global State Executions Reach Decade High, Amnesty International Reports
State-sanctioned killings across the globe have surged to their highest point in ten years, according to a new report from Amnesty International. The human rights organization revealed that over 1,500 recorded executions were carried out in 2024. This alarming rise in global executions is primarily driven by a significant increase in the Middle East, with Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia responsible for a staggering 1,380 of these deaths, while the United States accounted for 25.
Decrease in Countries Practicing Capital Punishment
Despite this considerable escalation in the number of state executions, the report also highlighted a positive trend. The total number of countries that carried out the death penalty in 2024 reached a record low for the second consecutive year, standing at just 15 nations. This indicates a growing global movement away from capital punishment, even as the number of executions rises in specific regions.
“Tide is Turning” Against Death Penalty, Says Amnesty
Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnes Callamard, stated that momentum is building against capital punishment. She asserted that “the tide is turning” on this issue, suggesting that global abolition of the death penalty is inevitable. “It is only a matter of time until the world is free from the shadow of the gallows,” Callamard added, underscoring the organization’s commitment to ending state-sanctioned killings.
Data Excludes China and Other Nations
While the reported figures represent the highest count since 2015, when at least 1,634 individuals were subjected to the death penalty, Amnesty International cautions that the actual global figure is likely even higher. Their data excludes executions in China, which the organization believes carries out thousands of state killings annually. North Korea and Vietnam are also not included in the report’s statistics due to lack of transparent reporting.
Secrecy and Limited Access to Information
Information regarding the use of the death penalty is treated as a state secret in both China and Vietnam. This classification prevents organizations like Amnesty International from accessing reliable statistics in these nations, hindering a complete understanding of the global picture. Furthermore, obstacles such as restrictive government practices and ongoing crises in regions like Gaza and Syria further limited the availability of information.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Middle East Drives Surge in Executions
The Amnesty International report, titled “Death Sentences and Executions 2024,” pinpoints Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia as the primary drivers behind the overall escalation in known executions worldwide. This regional concentration highlights a concerning trend in the Middle East regarding the increased use of capital punishment.
Dramatic Increase in Executions in Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Iraq witnessed an almost fourfold increase in executions, jumping from at least 16 to at least 63. Saudi Arabia also doubled its yearly total, from 172 to at least 345. These drastic increases in two countries alone contributed significantly to the global rise in state-sanctioned deaths.
Iran Remains Top Executor
Iran experienced a notable rise in executions as well, increasing from at least 853 in 2023 to at least 972 in 2024. Iran remains among the nations with the highest known rates of capital punishment, further solidifying the Middle East as a region of significant concern regarding state executions.
Weaponizing Death Penalty and Drug-Related Offenses
The Amnesty International report identifies two primary reasons for the spike in capital punishment: the “weaponizing of the death penalty against protesters” and its application for “drug-related crimes.” This indicates a disturbing trend of governments utilizing state executions to suppress dissent and enforce drug laws, often in violation of international human rights standards.
Drug Offenses Account for Significant Portion of Executions
The charity’s research revealed that over 40% of all recorded executions in 2024 were for drug-related offenses. Amnesty International emphasizes that the use of the death penalty for drug offenses is unlawful under international human rights law, raising serious concerns about the legality and morality of these state killings.
Positive Steps Towards Abolition
Despite the overall grim picture, the report also points to positive developments in the global movement against the death penalty. In 2024, Zimbabwe enacted legislation that abolished capital punishment for ordinary crimes. Furthermore, since September 2024, there have been two instances of death row inmates, one in Japan and one in the US, who were acquitted and granted clemency, respectively. These cases represent important victories for justice and the fight against state executions.
Growing Global Consensus Against Death Penalty
Adding to these positive signs, Amnesty International also noted that more than two-thirds of all UN member states voted in favor of a moratorium on the use of the death penalty last year. This significant majority underscores a growing international consensus towards abolishing capital punishment and moving away from state-sanctioned killings worldwide.