Executions surge to 25-year high

At least 1,634 people were executed in 2015, a rise of more than 50% on the previous year and the highest number since 1989. The total does not include thousands more believed to have been executed in China

EXECUTIONS IN 2015

China* 1,000+

Iran 977

Pakistan 326

Saudi Arabia 158

+U.S. 28

Iraq 26

Somalia 25

Egypt 22

Indonesia 14

Chad 10

U.S.: Total of 28 executions was lowest since 1991

*Amnesty International unable to record data on executions in China as records are kept secret

1. Iran: At least 977 people put to death in 2015 – mostly for drug-related
crimes – compared to 743 in 2014. Those executed included at least four people under 18 at time of crime – flagrant breach of international law

2. Saudi Arabia: Executions rose by 76% compared with 2014. Most were beheaded, but authorities also used firing squads and sometimes displayed executed bodies in public

3. Pakistan: Continued state- sanctioned killing spree started after moratorium on civilian executions was lifted in 2014. Over 320 people hanged in 2015 – most ever recorded

Notable jumps in number of executions also recorded in Egypt and Somalia, while at least six countries, including Chad, who did not put anyone to death in 2014 did so last year

Source: Amnesty International. 

Picture: Associated Press

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