“Death Sentences and Executions 2024” Report

The Amnesty International recently released the “Death Sentences and Executions 2024” Report. According to the report, in 2024, the number of recorded executions worldwide surged to 1,518, the highest figure in nearly a decade. It revealed an increase in executions primarily in Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. These countries accounted for an alarming 91% of known executions. This rise reflects a troubling trend of using capital punishment to suppress dissent and punish minorities.

Execution Statistics

In 2024, the global execution tally reached 1,518, marking a 32% increase from 2023. This rise is the highest since 2015. Iran executed at least 972 individuals, while Saudi Arabia’s numbers rose to at least 345. Iraq saw a dramatic increase, with executions jumping from 16 to at least 63. The overall figures exclude thousands believed to have been executed in China, North Korea, and Vietnam.

Weaponising Death Penalty

Amnesty International reports that the death penalty is increasingly weaponised against protesters and minority groups. In Iran, the government used executions to punish participants of the Women, Life, Freedom protests. This included executing individuals with mental disabilities. Saudi Arabia targeted its Shiite minority, executing those involved in anti-government protests under terrorism charges.

Drug Offences and Executions

Over 40% of all global executions in 2024 were linked to drug-related offences. Amnesty International argues that such executions violate international humanitarian law, which restricts the death penalty to the most serious crimes. Countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore continue to impose death sentences for drug crimes, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.

Global Trends and Abolition Movements

Despite the rise in executions, the number of countries carrying out capital punishment remains low. Only 15 countries executed individuals in 2024, the lowest on record. Meanwhile, 145 nations have abolished the death penalty in law or practice. Zimbabwe recently abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes, and the UN General Assembly continues to advocate for a moratorium on its use.