Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia Increase Death Penalty Rates
World
In 2024, the number of executions reached the highest level in the past decade, mainly due to a significant rise in executions in Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Amnesty International reported that the human rights NGO confirmed 1,518 executions globally in 2024, marking a 32% increase from the previous year, and the highest figure since the 1,634 executions carried out in 2015.
Amnesty also noted that the actual total is likely far higher, as its figure does not include executions believed to have taken place in China, North Korea, and Vietnam, countries known to be major executioners.
Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, which accounted for 91% of global executions, were responsible for the increase. Iraq nearly quadrupled its executions, rising from at least 16 to at least 63, and Saudi Arabia doubled its yearly total, from 172 to at least 345.
Iran executed 119 more people than in 2023, raising its tally to at least 972, including 30 women, representing 64% of the global total. All executions in Iraq were related to terrorism, while about half of those in Iran were for drug-related crimes.
Other countries that saw an increase in executions include Egypt (from eight in 2023 to 13 in 2024), Singapore (from five to nine), and Yemen (from at least 15 to at least 38).
In the United States, 25 executions took place in 2024, one more than in 2023 and the highest number since 2018. The study period includes Joe Biden’s last year in office. His successor, Donald Trump, has expressed his intention to “vigorously pursue” the death penalty to protect people “from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.”
Amnesty confirmed that only 15 countries are known to have executed people in 2024, the lowest number for the second consecutive year. The organization also noted that 113 countries have completely abolished the death penalty, while 145 have either legally abolished it or stopped carrying it out in practice.
Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, which accounted for 91% of global executions, were responsible for the increase. Iraq nearly quadrupled its executions, rising from at least 16 to at least 63, and Saudi Arabia doubled its yearly total, from 172 to at least 345.
Iran executed 119 more people than in 2023, raising its tally to at least 972, including 30 women, representing 64% of the global total. All executions in Iraq were related to terrorism, while about half of those in Iran were for drug-related crimes.
Other countries that saw an increase in executions include Egypt (from eight in 2023 to 13 in 2024), Singapore (from five to nine), and Yemen (from at least 15 to at least 38).
In the United States, 25 executions took place in 2024, one more than in 2023 and the highest number since 2018. The study period includes Joe Biden’s last year in office. His successor, Donald Trump, has expressed his intention to “vigorously pursue” the death penalty to protect people “from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.”
Amnesty confirmed that only 15 countries are known to have executed people in 2024, the lowest number for the second consecutive year. The organization also noted that 113 countries have completely abolished the death penalty, while 145 have either legally abolished it or stopped carrying it out in practice.
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