The Alarming Rise of Executions in 2025: A Global Human Rights Concern

In 2025, a troubling report from Amnesty International revealed that the number of executions worldwide is alarmingly high, marking a significant increase in state-sanctioned killings. The human rights organization documented 2,707 executions across 17 countries, representing a staggering 78 percent rise compared to the previous year. This number is the highest recorded since 1981, drawing attention to a growing crisis in global human rights. A considerable portion of this spike can be attributed to Iran, where at least 2,159 individuals were executed in 2025—more than double the previous year's figures. Following Iran, other countries with notable execution rates included Saudi Arabia (at least 356), Yemen (51), and the USA (47). However, Amnesty International warns that the actual numbers could be much higher, particularly in countries where executions are kept secret, such as China, Vietnam, and North Korea. Julia Duchrow, Secretary General of Amnesty Germany, highlighted the inhumanity of the death penalty, describing it as "the most extreme form of state violence" that denies any chance for justice or redemption. The year 2024 saw at least 1,518 executions documented by the organization, but the rise in 2025 underscores a systematic use of the death penalty, particularly in Iran where it is wielded as a tool to instill fear among the populace. Amnesty's report outlines that the Iranian authorities have increasingly used executions to silence dissent, particularly following mass protests against the regime. The preferred method of execution in Iran, as well as in Egypt and Singapore, is hanging. The situation in the country is described as extraordinarily disturbing, with the death penalty being utilized to suppress marginalized communities. China reportedly carries out the highest number of executions in the world, yet the exact figures remain obscure due to government secrecy. Amnesty estimates that thousands of executions take place in China, where authorities utilize the death penalty to demonstrate zero tolerance for any perceived threats to public order. In the United States, 2025 witnessed the highest number of executions since 2009, with 47 reported. While the current administration publicly supports the death penalty, the numbers of death sentences imposed are on a slight decline. A disproportionate number of executions—nearly half—were associated with drug offenses in various countries, including China, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. Amnesty sharply criticized the use of capital punishment for drug-related crimes, deeming it a clear violation of international law and human dignity. Furthermore, a new Israeli law emerged this year allowing for the death penalty or life imprisonment for terrorist-related offenses targeting the state of Israel. Critics argue that this law disproportionately affects Palestinians within the occupied territories and raises significant ethical concerns. Despite the disastrous rise in executions, Amnesty International points to some progress as well. In Belarus, for the first time in decades, neither new death sentences nor executions were recorded. Moreover, the number of countries utilizing the death penalty has remained constant over the past several years, with 113 countries abolishing it for all crimes. Duchrow asserts that there is a growing awareness worldwide about the cruel and discriminatory nature of the death penalty, affirming that it has no place in contemporary society. The organization relies on a mixture of official statistics, media reports, and testimonies to assess the landscape of capital punishment globally, but notes that many countries remain opaque about their execution practices. The rise of executions in 2025 raises urgent questions about human rights, state violence, and the fundamental right to life. As international scrutiny increases and public awareness grows, human rights advocates continue to fight against the use of the death penalty in any form. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2