THE world has seen its deadliest year for executions in a decade, with Iran and China crowned the worst globally.
Various methods of execution used in countries – including the US – include beheading, hanging, lethal injection, shooting and nitrogen gas asphyxiation.
, Iran and Iraq made up a whopping 91 per cent of recorded , therefore making them responsible for the rocket increase in the years data, Amnesty International reports.
But Iran topped the Middle Eastern counties, with Ali Khamenei's nation putting at least 972 people to death, up from 853 the year prior.
Alongside the surging numbers of executions,Iranianare subject to other medieval-style punishments such as public flogging, limb-removal and eye-gouging.
Meanwhile in , the number of those killed doubled to at least 345, chillingly marking the most ever recorded for the country.
And in Iraq, the number of death penalties quadrupled compared to 2023 and was used 63 times.
But the final statistics may actually just be the minimum recorded, as is thought to have carried out more executions globally by a mile.
Dubbed the “world's leading executioner” in Amnesty's annual report, a definitive number couldn't be reached because the country refuses to disclose its execution data.
and ‘s execution numbers also couldn't be confirmed as access to information has been restricted, similarly to China, but the NGO suspects the two are resorting to the death penalty significantly.
The spike in executions comes as accusations swirl that states are threatening the death penalty against protesters and minorities, Amnesty said.
This is particularly the case in Saudi Arabia, despite Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salma pledging to minimise executions.
Similarly, in Iran, protesters have been sentenced to death, like two people who were sentenced to death in connection with the nationwide protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's tragic death in custody in 2022.
Amnesty International's Secretary General Agnes Callamard said: “Those who dare challenge authorities have faced the most cruel of punishments, particularly in Iran and Saudi Arabia, with the death penalty used to silence those brave enough to speak out.”
Meanwhile in the US, where 25 people were executed last year alone, President has consistently called for the death penalty to be used as a tool to protect the country's citizens from “violent rapists, murderers and monsters”.
Earlier last month, double murderer Brad Sigmon was the first person to choose in 15 years.
And, a few weeks later, killer Jessie Hoffman was executed with nitrogen gas in the states too in a 19-minute ordeal that left him
The report also shows a spike in countries sentencing people to death for drug-related offences, which the NGO argue is not the “most serious ” to result in getting killed.
All drug-related executions occurred in China, Iran, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.
A minimum of 42 per cent of all known executions in 2024 were carried out in relation to , impacting those “disproportionately” from “disadvantaged backgrounds,” the report says.
In March alone, it was revealed that China over drug smuggling charges earlier this year.
All four had been dual citizens, ‘s Foreign Minister said, with Ottawa demanding leniency for other Canadians facing the same heinous fate.
China said it had acted “in accordance with the law” and suggested the Canadians had been convicted over narcotics offences, saying “combating drug crimes is the common responsibility of all countries”.
“China is a country under the rule oflaw,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.
She added thatBeijing“treats defendants of different nationalities equally without discrimination” and “handles cases fairly in strict accordance with the law.”
Despite the worrying statistics and spike in executions, Amnesty reassured that only 15 counties were known to have carried out the death penalty.
Like in the US, a Californian federal court demanded a review of 34 capital convictions in Alameda County using evidence of systematic discrimination in jury selection.
This led to the re-sentencing of 18 people.
Amnesty's Callamard added: “Despite the minority of leaders determined to weaponise the death penalty, the tide is turning.
“It’s only a matter of time until the world is free from the shadows of the gallows.”;
