Report: Recorded Executions Reach Highest Number Since 2015

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Facts

  • According to a report released by Amnesty International, global executions rose to their highest level since 2015 — with 1,153 people executed in 2023, a 30% increase from 2022.1
  • The number 'partially describes the true extent of states' resort to executions,' as it doesn't include executions from countries such as China, North Korea, and Vietnam.2
  • Iran alone accounted for 74% of the recorded executions, putting 853 people to death in 2023 — up from 576 and 314 in 2022 and 2021, respectively.3
  • Saudi Arabia (172) had the second-most recorded executions, while Somalia (at least 38) and the US (24) were the other two countries with the highest number of executions in 2023.4
  • Despite global executions hitting the highest mark in nearly a decade, Amnesty said the number of countries that carried out executions dropped to 16 last year.5
  • Executions rose 30% in the Middle East and North Africa, and all recorded Sub-Saharan African executions took place in Somalia. Belarus (1) was the only country to record an execution in Europe.4

Sources: 1Associated Press, 2US News & World Report, 3BBC News, 4Amnesty International and 5ABC News.

Narratives

  • Anti-Iran narrative, as provided by Dw.Com. The rise in global executions lies mainly at the feet of Iran, which has created one of the world's deadliest regimes. Outside of China, where figures can't be officially ascertained, Iran is killing people at an excessive rate, and it's up to the rest of the world to hold the country accountable for its human rights abuses. The Islamic country continues to persecute political dissidents and execute people for drug charges. With 74% of the recorded executions, Iran is the gravest threat to progress.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Independent. While countries like Iran and China lead the world in executions, it's also important to note the US continues to execute dozens of people annually. While most Western countries have abolished the death penalty, the US, fueled by a handful of states, continues to practice the backward form of punishment. It may not be executing people at the same rate as other countries, but its refusal to outlaw capital punishment prevents meaningful progress toward eliminating state executions in the West.
  • Narrative C, as provided by The Heritage Foundation. One could argue that in a perfect world, the death penalty would not exist. However, the world is far from perfect, and certain crimes are so heinous that they merit capital punishment. In the most extreme circumstances, such as mass murder and acts of terror, the death penalty can be appropriate in terms of delivering justice and deterring criminals. The death penalty should be reserved for extreme cases, but that doesn't mean it should be abolished altogether.

Predictions