The latest report released by Amnesty International has raised concerns about an alarming trend in global executions. According to the report, the number of executions recorded worldwide last year has jumped to its highest level since 2015, with a significant rise in Iran and across the Middle East.
The report, which was released on Wednesday, sheds light on the worrying state of human rights in many countries. It reveals that at least 690 executions were carried out in 20 countries in 2018, which is a 20% increase compared to the previous year. This rise is mainly due to the sharp increase in executions in Iran, where more than half of the reported executions took place.
Iran, which has been known for its strict legal system, saw a shocking 253% increase in executions in 2018, with at least 253 people being put to death. This surge is mainly attributed to the country’s crackdown on drug-related offenses, which is often met with the death penalty. The report also highlights the lack of fair trials and the use of torture to extract confessions in Iran’s judicial system.
The Middle East, in general, has seen a disturbing rise in executions, with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Egypt also featuring in the top five countries with the most executions. In Saudi Arabia, 149 people were executed last year, with some reports suggesting that many of these were carried out through beheadings in public. In Iraq, at least 52 people were executed, and in Egypt, 43 people were put to death.
This increase in executions is a severe blow to the global efforts towards abolishing the use of the death penalty. It goes against the international trend of a steady decrease in executions, with many countries choosing to abolish the death penalty in recent years. Furthermore, it highlights the need for urgent action to be taken to protect human rights and promote fair trials in these countries.
Amnesty International is also concerned about the use of the death penalty for other offenses, such as blasphemy and adultery, which are still punishable by death in some countries. The report stresses the need for a global effort to abolish the death penalty altogether and calls on countries to impose a moratorium on executions as a step towards its complete abolition.
The use of the death penalty not only violates the right to life but also goes against the principles of justice and fairness. It is a cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment, and its use is a reflection of a flawed legal system. The rise in executions in 2018 is a wake-up call for governments to re-evaluate their use of the death penalty and work towards its complete abolition.
Amnesty International’s report also highlights the lack of transparency and accountability in many countries when it comes to executions. Many countries do not release official figures or disclose information about the individuals who are sentenced to death and executed. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to determine the true number of executions and to monitor the implementation of the death penalty.
In light of this report, Amnesty International urges all countries that still use the death penalty to immediately establish a moratorium on its use and take steps towards its complete abolition. It also calls on governments to ensure fair trials for all individuals, with access to legal representation and an independent judiciary. The protection of human rights should be a top priority for all countries, and the use of the death penalty is a clear violation of this fundamental principle.
As we move forward into 2019, it is essential for governments to take a stand against the use of the death penalty and work towards a world where every individual’s right to life is respected and protected. As a global community, we must continue to fight for human rights and work towards a more just and fair world for all. Let us hope that the next report released by Amnesty International will show a significant decline in executions and bring us closer to a world without the use of the death penalty.
