Executions worldwide hit highest level since 1981, Amnesty says
Key takeaways
- The human rights group Amnesty International confirmed that at least 2,707 people were put to death in 2025 but said the actual number was much higher.
- https://p.dw.com/p/5Dok9The rise in executions was primarily linked to a spike in capital punishment in Iran [FILE: April 11, 2026]Image: Michael Kuenne/PRESSCOV/Sipa USA/picture alliance Advertisement.
- At least 2,707 people are known to have been put to death, according to the rights group's annual review.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
The human rights group Amnesty International confirmed that at least 2,707 people were put to death in 2025 but said the actual number was much higher. Despite these figures, there are indications of possible progress.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Dok9The rise in executions was primarily linked to a spike in capital punishment in Iran [FILE: April 11, 2026]Image: Michael Kuenne/PRESSCOV/Sipa USA/picture alliance Advertisement. The number of executions worldwide reached its highest level in more than four decades in 2025, driven largely by a sharp increase in Iran, Amnesty International said.
At least 2,707 people are known to have been put to death, according to the rights group's annual review. That marks a 78% jump from 2024 and is the highest figure Amnesty has recorded since 1981, when 3,191 executions were logged.