The number of publicly known executions continues to rise in 2022. A few states are responsible for the increase.
According to Amnesty International, the number of judicial executions in 2022 reached its highest level in five years: at least 883 people were executed in 20 countries. In addition to the known executions, there are thousands of executions in China, "which are kept under lock and key," Amnesty said. The human rights organisation published its report on the global use of the death penalty on Tuesday (16 May).
More people have been executed, especially in the Middle East and North Africa. For example, the number of recorded executions in Iran has risen enormously from 314 in 2021 to 576 in 2022. In Saudi Arabia, the number tripled from 65 (2021) to 196. This is the highest figure recorded by Amnesty for the country in 30 years.
The German-Iranian Djamshid Sharmahd in a Tehran Revolutionary Court. According to Amnesty International, the number of judicial executions last year reached its highest level in five years. © Koosha Falahi/Mizan/dpa
Three countries responsible for 90 percent of all executions
The increase in these regions is worrying from Amnesty International's point of view. "The Islamic Republic of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are responsible for 90 percent of the executions documented worldwide," said Julia Duchrow, Deputy Secretary General of Amnesty International in Germany.
In addition, the report shows that almost 40 percent of executions were based on drug offenses. People in Iran, Saudi Arabia or Singapore are often executed for such offences. This number has also almost doubled compared to the previous year. Poor people and members of ethnic minorities are particularly affected.
In the United States, 18 people were executed last year - seven more than in 2021, when there were eleven cases. Among the 883 cases known worldwide, 13 were executed women, 12 of them in Iran and one in Saudi Arabia.
Amnesry highlights the execution of a German-Iranian
Because of the increase in executions in Iran, the international community must noticeably increase the pressure on the Iranian government and vehemently advocate for the right to life, Amnesty demands.
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The organization particularly highlighted the case of the German-Iranian Djamshid Sharmahd, who was sentenced to death in Iran. He had been arrested by the Iranian secret service in Dubai and brought to Iran. A revolutionary court had held the man responsible, among other things, for a terrorist attack. Amnesty is calling on German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to work for Sharmahd's immediate release. Baerbock is currently on his inaugural visit to Saudi Arabia.
China and North Korea keep executions secret - probably thousands of excursions
In some countries, such as China, North Korea and Vietnam, which are known for the frequent use of the death penalty, the execution figures have remained secret. As a result, the scale of executions carried out worldwide is far greater, Amnesty said. Although the exact number of people executed in China is not known, there is no doubt that the country continues to carry out thousands of executions every year. There is also speculation as to whether China will soon decide to attack Taiwan. An expert assumes that the date will be a full moon night in 2025.
Six countries abolished all or part of the death penalty in 2022: Kazakhstan, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Zambia. Last year, death sentences were carried out again in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Myanmar, the Gaza Strip and Singapore. (dpa)