Global Executions Surge to Decade High Amid Continued Death Penalty Debate

Amnesty International's findings show the highest number of executions since 2015, with notable geographical disparities and calls for reform echoed throughout the report.

The most recent Amnesty International report reveals a significant increase in global executions, totaling over 1,500 in 2024, marking the highest level recorded since 2015. Notably, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia accounted for a staggering 1,380 of these executions combined, with the United States contributing 25. Despite this alarming spike in executions, the report highlights a silver lining: the total number of countries imposing the death penalty has dwindled to just 15, representing the lowest count on record for the second consecutive year.

Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, remarked on the changing dynamics surrounding capital punishment, suggesting that "the tide is turning" and signaling hope for a future where the death penalty is abolished globally. The report indicates that although the documented figures are concerning, they do not include many executions believed to occur in China, whose practices remain shrouded in secrecy, nor those in North Korea and Vietnam, where similar transparency issues persist.

The report outlines that the dramatic rise in executions was predominantly driven by Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Iraq notably escalated its execution numbers almost fourfold, increasing from 16 to at least 63 executions, while Saudi Arabia's yearly total jumped significantly from 172 to at least 345.

In Iran, executions surged from 853 in 2023 to at least 972 in 2024. Amnesty International attributes this increase to two primary factors: the use of the death penalty as a weapon against dissenters and the enforcement of harsh penalties for drug-related offenses, which constitute more than 40% of all executions—an act Amnesty contends violates international human rights laws.

On a more positive note, Zimbabwe took significant legislative steps by abolishing the death penalty for ordinary crimes this year. Additionally, notable events in the U.S. and Japan saw death row inmates granted clemency and exonerated, respectively. Furthermore, the report states that over two-thirds of UN member states expressed support for a moratorium on capital punishment last year, reflecting a growing global consensus against the practice.

As discussions around the legality and morality of capital punishment persist, the statistics from Amnesty International serve as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges entwined in the fight against this controversial form of punishment.