The number of people put to death worldwide spiked by 30% in 2023, making it the deadliest year in nearly a decade, according to a new report released by Amnesty International. The report revealed that 1,153 executions took place globally, with Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia among the top countries carrying out the most executions.
In the United States, there was a 33% rise in executions compared to the previous year, with 24 people put to death in 2023. This increase was driven by a select number of states, including Alabama, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Despite a decreasing number of states using capital punishment, these states demonstrated a commitment to the death penalty, according to Amnesty International.
The global rise in executions was primarily fueled by Iran, where at least 853 people were executed, a 48% increase from the previous year. The report highlighted the discriminatory impact of the death penalty on marginalized communities in Iran, particularly for drug-related offenses.
While the number of countries performing executions decreased to the lowest point ever recorded by Amnesty International, there were also positive developments. Pakistan repealed the death penalty for drug-related offenses, and Malaysia made it no longer mandatory. Additionally, bills to abolish capital punishment are pending in several countries, showing a global trend towards the abolition of the death penalty.
Despite the setbacks in 2023, Amnesty International remains committed to campaigning against the death penalty until it is abolished worldwide. The report serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for human rights and justice in the face of capital punishment.
