Executions around the world up 32% in 2024, says Amnesty
At least 1,518 executions were carried out worldwide in 2024, up 32 percent from the year before, according to Amnesty International.
The human rights group said Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq put more people to death than ever last year. The number of countries that reported carrying out executions stood at 15, a record low, it added.
The group's April 8 report also touched upon the high-profile case of Iwao Hakamata, a former death row inmate in Japan who was exonerated in a retrial last year after serving 48 years in prison.
The annual document listed China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Yemen as the countries that carried out the most executions.
It described China as 'the world's lead executioner.'
Figures for China, North Korea and Vietnam were estimates because they do not disclose death penalty statistics. Only two confirmed executions from these countries were included in the 2024 report.
Based on the known figures, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq accounted for 91 percent of all executions around the world.
Drug-related offences accounted for 42 percent of capital punishment cases. China, Iran and Saudi Arabia put more people to death than other countries for drug trafficking and drug use.
Amnesty, noting that the International Covenants on Human Rights stipulates the death sentence should be imposed only for the 'most serious crimes,' took issue with those countries for using the death penalty in drug cases. It said they were 'violating international law.'
It also condemned countries, including Japan, for handing the death sentence to people suffering from mental or intellectual disabilities, which it called a violation of international law.
WORLD WITNESSED HAKAMATA'S VICTORY
The number of countries that still carry out executions stood at 15, down one from 2023 and the lowest on record, according to Amnesty International.
Armed conflict made it impossible to maintain records for Palestine, which is believed to execute people on a continual basis.
According to the report, 145 countries, or three-quarters of all countries and territories, had fully or virtually abolished the death penalty by the end of 2024.
Japan, which keeps capital punishment on its books while the government maintains it has overwhelming 'public support' for the practice, has not carried out a hanging since July 2022. This marks the longest hiatus since the Justice Ministry in 2007 began publicly releasing the names and other details of those executed.
Referring to Hakamata as 'the world's longest-serving person on death row,' the report emphasized that prosecutors repeatedly filed motions against a retrial, which meant it took 'close to 10 years' for the process to begin.
The report lambasted Japan for 'still seeking the death penalty as a possible punishment' during the retrial.
Amnesty International, referring to the street across Japan calling for Hakamata's release, said 'the world witnessed the power of campaigning' when Hakamata was acquitted after a retrial in 2024.
'It is evident that the states that retain the death penalty are an isolated minority,' said Agnes Callamard, secretary-general of Amnesty International. 'This signals a move away from this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Japan Times
2 days ago
- Japan Times
Japan's prison reform focuses on rehabilitation
For the first time in more than a century, Japan has overhauled its prison system with new rules placing greater emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment to combat the country's high recidivism rates. The new system, which took effect last Sunday, marks the first time that correctional facilities undergo a reform in 118 years. Individuals subject to the new rules are those who commit crimes after the law's implementation. A Penal Code amendment passed in 2022 removed the distinction between imprisonment with labor and that without. This means prison labor is no longer mandatory, which allows more time for educational and rehabilitative programs aimed at reducing recidivism. Previously, inmates were treated largely based on their risk of reoffending — a system that opened up the possibility of elderly repeat shoplifters being treated similarly to organized crime figures. In a news conference last Friday, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki said that the new policy is designed to reduce recidivism and that preparations for the changes are being actively made at each correctional facility. 'It is expected that the introduction of (the Penal Code revision) will further advance crime prevention in Japan, and it will be important to implement initiatives that reflect this intent moving forward,' Suzuki said. 'We will continue to advance efforts to achieve more effective treatment for the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society, with the aim of realizing a society in which every citizen can live safely and securely.' The current law now defines imprisonment simply as 'confinement in a penal institution,' with inmates to be assigned either 'necessary work' or 'necessary guidance' for their rehabilitation and improvement. The change was prompted by the country's persistently high recidivism rates. According to an Ministry of Justice report in 2023, the rate stood at 47%, with repeat offenders accounting for about half of all arrests in recent years. Under the previous system of imprisonment with labor, inmates were often burdened with mandatory work, leaving insufficient time for guidance aimed at reformation. Yuko Shiota, an official at the Center for Prisoners' Rights who is in contact with current and former inmates, said the organization welcomes the changes and commends the ministry for recognizing the need for change. The new framework will also implement treatment that combines work and guidance tailored to the characteristics of inmates by categorizing them into 24 groups according to age, background and individual needs. These include a 'Daily Care – Senior' program for inmates 70 and older with dementia and 'Addiction Recovery' for those with drug dependencies. Other programs are designed for adults age 20 to 26, and those serving sentences of 10 years or more. Older inmates will focus on maintaining physical and cognitive function, while younger prisoners may take part in education programs to support reintegration into schools after release. According to Shiota, some groups — such as those involved in the disability rights movement or advocates — argue that such categorization is discriminatory. Some point out 'that since people with disabilities must live in a diverse society, it's important for society to see and interact with them, or else discrimination will inevitably emerge,' she said, adding that she thinks it's a valid point. However, Shiota also acknowledged that in the specific context of prisons, things are different. 'When you have a mix of people, those with disabilities often move more slowly and struggle to complete various tasks. Because of that, they've often been subjected to bullying or punishment,' she said. As such, she thinks it is a good idea to separate them from everyone else in prison to keep them from continuing to be discriminated against because of their disabilities. Shiota also expressed concerns about the significant pressure that correctional officers might come under due to their new roles. 'If you look at the official materials, it always says things like 'understanding the inmate's mental state' or 'responding according to each inmate's individual characteristics,' but even professional psychologists find that kind of work challenging,' she said. 'Expecting correctional officers to do it is really a heavy burden.' That said, Shiota acknowledged it is still too early to judge how the changes will go, and that as a whole, it is a positive development that is welcomed by many who advocate for prisoners' rights. 'I'm thinking of making recommendations once I've gathered enough information,' she said. 'I already receive many letters from people in prison asking for advice. I think I'll receive letters from everyone later on saying things like, 'Things have changed like this,' or 'This has started,' so I'm thinking of (making recommendations) after reading those letters.'
Japan Today
4 days ago
- Japan Today
Japanese prisons to place more focus on rehabilitation than punishment
An amendment to the Penal Code placing greater emphasis on rehabilitation efforts in prison took effect Sunday, marking the first time changes have been made to the forms of punishment under Japan's more than a century-old crime laws. Imprisonment is no longer divided into the categories of with and without labor, and prison work is no longer mandatory for inmates, allowing more time to be allocated for rehabilitative guidance and education to reduce recidivism, according to the Justice Ministry. The revised law, which will affect people convicted from Sunday, stipulates anew that imprisonment consists of "confinement in a penal institution" and that inmates can be assigned to undertake "necessary work" or can undergo "necessary guidance" for rehabilitation and improvement. Prior to the change, the treatment of inmates was largely based on the likelihood of reoffending, potentially subjecting an elderly repeat shoplifter and a yakuza gang member to the same regime. The new system sets up 24 programs tailored to an inmate's age, characteristics and other factors, including a Daily Care-Senior curriculum for those aged 70 and older and suffering from dementia and Addiction Recovery targeting drug abusers. Other programs target those aged between 20 and 26, and those facing prison terms of at least 10 years. Elderly inmates are expected to be able to focus more on maintaining their physical and cognitive functions rather than engaging in typical prison work, while younger inmates will undergo a program to enable their return to school after leaving prison, according to the ministry. Inmates will be sent to prisons that can offer appropriate programs for them. Their situation will be reviewed every six months, enabling them to switch to different treatment programs if needed. Japan's Penal Code was enacted in 1907. The legislation to realize the latest change was enacted by parliament in 2022. © KYODO
Kyodo News
5 days ago
- Kyodo News
Japan prisons to place more focus on rehabilitation than punishment
KYODO NEWS - 12 hours ago - 13:45 | All, Japan An amendment to the Penal Code placing greater emphasis on rehabilitation efforts in prison took effect Sunday, marking the first time changes have been made to the forms of punishment under Japan's more than a century-old crime laws. Imprisonment is no longer divided into the categories of with and without labor, and prison work is no longer mandatory for inmates, allowing more time to be allocated for rehabilitative guidance and education to reduce recidivism, according to the Justice Ministry. The revised law, which will affect people convicted from Sunday, stipulates anew that imprisonment consists of "confinement in a penal institution" and that inmates can be assigned to undertake "necessary work" or can undergo "necessary guidance" for rehabilitation and improvement. Prior to the change, the treatment of inmates was largely based on the likelihood of reoffending, potentially subjecting an elderly repeat shoplifter and a yakuza gang member to the same regime. The new system sets up 24 programs tailored to an inmate's age, characteristics and other factors, including a Daily Care-Senior curriculum for those aged 70 and older and suffering from dementia and Addiction Recovery targeting drug abusers. Other programs target those aged between 20 and 26, and those facing prison terms of at least 10 years. Elderly inmates are expected to be able to focus more on maintaining their physical and cognitive functions rather than engaging in typical prison work, while younger inmates will undergo a program to enable their return to school after leaving prison, according to the ministry. Inmates will be sent to prisons that can offer appropriate programs for them. Their situation will be reviewed every six months, enabling them to switch to different treatment programs if needed. Japan's Penal Code was enacted in 1907. The legislation to realize the latest change was enacted by parliament in 2022. Related coverage: Japan Diet enacts law against predatory practices at male host clubs Japan police to fine minor rule-breaking cyclists from next April
