It is noted that in several countries where the death penalty is still in place, there has been a "significant increase" in the application of this punishment.
The main factor behind the global rise is the increase in executions for drug-related offenses. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk emphasized that this not only contradicts international law but is also ineffective as a deterrent to crime.
In Iran, at least 1,500 people were executed in 2024, of which more than 47 percent were related to drug offenses.
In Saudi Arabia, at least 356 people were executed during the same period, setting a new record that exceeds the figures from 2024. 78 percent of them were convicted of drug-related crimes.
"Among those executed in Saudi Arabia are at least two who committed crimes as minors, raising concerns about the respect for children's rights," noted Volker Turk.
In the United States, 47 death sentences were carried out in 2025, the highest number in the last 16 years. The use of gas for executions, introduced for the first time in 2024, raises serious concerns about the potential for torture and cruel treatment.
In Afghanistan, public executions continue, violating international human rights standards.
"At least 24 people were executed in Somalia and 17 in Singapore. In China and North Korea, issues regarding the application of the death penalty remain shrouded in secrecy, making it difficult to gather accurate information. In Belarus, the list of crimes punishable by death has recently been expanded under national security and anti-terrorism legislation. In Israel, bills are being considered that could expand the application of the death penalty, including mandatory sentences for Palestinians," the report added.
However, last year several countries took positive steps. Vietnam reduced the number of crimes punishable by death. Pakistan removed two non-violent crimes from the list of capital offenses, leaving 29 such articles. Zimbabwe abolished the death penalty for non-serious crimes on December 31, 2024, while Kenya began reviewing its death penalty legislation. In Malaysia, the review process led to a reduction of more than 1,000 people subject to execution.
In Kyrgyzstan, the Constitutional Court upheld the existing ban on the death penalty, declaring the bill to reinstate it unconstitutional.
"The death penalty is not an effective means of combating crime and can lead to the execution of innocent people," stated the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. "In practice, the death penalty is often applied arbitrarily and discriminately, violating the principles of equality before the law."
He once again urged states that retain the death penalty to immediately impose a moratorium, commute existing death sentences, and strive for the complete abolition of this measure.
