Amnesty International’s Death Sentences and Executions 2024 report reveals that the number of executions worldwide reached its highest level since 2015, with 1,518 people executed in 15 countries in 2024. The majority of these executions took place in Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for 91% of the total. The report highlights a rise in executions linked to drug-related offences and the use of the death penalty to suppress political opposition and ethnic minorities.
There was a 32% increase in executions in 2024 compared to 2023, when 1,153 executions were recorded. The highest numbers were recorded in the Middle East, where Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia carried out 1,380 executions. Iran, which accounted for 64% of the total, saw an increase of 119 executions from the previous year. The report also notes that executions are not included for China, North Korea and Vietnam due to lack of transparency. Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia were directly responsible for the increase in executions, with Iraq nearly quadrupling its executions and Saudi Arabia doubling its executions.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s secretary general, condemned the death penalty, calling it “an appalling practice that has no place in today’s world”. She criticised Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia for using executions to silence dissent, particularly in cases related to drug offences and political protests. The report also highlights the growing trend of executions for drug-related offences, which Amnesty says violates international human rights law.
Despite the increase in executions, 2024 was the second year in a row that the lowest number of countries carried out executions. The report also highlights the growing global movement against the death penalty. In particular, Zimbabwe abolished the death penalty for common crimes in 2024, and Malaysia’s death penalty reforms led to a reduction in the number of people facing execution. To date, 113 countries have completely abolished the death penalty and momentum for its universal abolition continues to build.
