Amnesty is concerned about Iran
Report: Number of executions worldwide at record high
05/18/2026 – 02:02 amReading time: 2 minutes
The number of executions last year reached its highest level since 1981. One country in particular is responsible for the worrying development.
Amnesty International’s sad results. The human rights organization registered at least 2,707 executions worldwide last year – more than ever since 1981. At least 1,518 executions were recorded in 2024. But the number of unreported cases is significantly higher because many countries, such as China, remain silent about executions, the organization said.
“The death penalty is the most extreme form of state violence: it is inhumane, final and leaves no room for error or justice. The fact that governments still rely on it shows a shocking disregard for the right to life,” said Julia Duchrow, Secretary General of Amnesty Germany.
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According to the report, in absolute terms, most death sentences were carried out in China, followed by Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the USA.
“The dramatic 78 percent increase in executions compared to the previous year is largely due to a few states that specifically use the death penalty as an instrument of intimidation, most notably China, Iran and Saudi Arabia,” the report found.
The situation is particularly critical in Iran
Amnesty International is particularly critical of the situation in Iran. At least 2,159 people were executed there last year, the human rights organization said.
According to the report, Iranian authorities “continued to use the death penalty as a weapon to spread fear among the population” and punish those who challenged the system. This year, following the mass protests in January, several people have already been executed in Iran during the war against the USA and Israel.
“In Iran we are currently witnessing in the most depressing way how states are systematically using the death penalty to silence people, oppress disadvantaged groups and spread fear,” said Julia Duchrow, Secretary General of Amnesty Germany.
