Global executions at highest level in five years

The number of known executions carried out around the world in 2022 rose by 53 per cent on the figure recorded for 2021, according to a report released by Amnesty International on Tuesday.

The report documented at least 883 executions in 20 countries, marking the highest number in five years. However, the actual number is likely to be higher as thousands of executions in China remain undisclosed.

State secrecy in North Korea and Vietnam, along with limited access to information in various other countries, continue to impede a comprehensive assessment of the use of the death penalty, Amnesty said.

– Iran, Saudi Arabia

Amnesty highlighted that 90% of known executions last year were carried out by Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

Iran experienced a rise in recorded executions from 314 in 2021 to 576 in 2022. Saudi Arabia witnessed a tripling of executions from 65 in 2021 to 196 last year, the highest figure documented by Amnesty for the country in three decades.

The report also noted that while six countries abolished the death penalty partially or completely in 2022, executions resumed in five countries, namely Afghanistan, Kuwait, Myanmar, the State of Palestine, and Singapore.

Amnesty further highlighted that more than a third of recorded executions worldwide in 2022 were related to drug offenses, a clear violation of international law.

– Executions in Nigeria

Nigeria has a moratorium on executions, meaning it has not carried out executions for years although the death penalty remains.

Nigeria’s last execution took place in Edo state in 2016.

However, Nigeria has some of the highest number of inmates on the death row.

Over 3,200 inmates in Nigeria are currently on death row, according to the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The organization said there are a total of 3,298 inmates on death row, making about 4.5% of the total number of inmates in Nigeria’s custodial centres.

The United States has 2414 people on death row and continues to carry out executions. Ghana has 165 and Zambia has 257. Iraq has 4000 people while Japan has 106 and Indonesia has 404.