Global use of capital punishment increased dramatically in 2025
- Human Rights Research Center
- 7 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Author: Peter Clarkin, MA
January 22, 2026
HRRC strongly condemns the increased use of the death penalty by certain states worldwide. Those punished are often immigrants or those living in impoverished areas, who are often sentenced without a fair trial. The push to abolish the death penalty in all countries must continue, and the progress being made by a number of countries must be applauded.
![Demonstrators against the death penalty stand outside the Moakley Federal Court in Boston, MA 2015. [Image credit: John Tlumacki—The Boston Globe/AP]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_9d9a1c6e2c254cb0b94184465584513e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_762,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_9d9a1c6e2c254cb0b94184465584513e~mv2.png)
Despite a global trend towards the abolition of the death penalty, there are a number of countries that continue to increase their use of capital punishment as a deterrent to crime. In 2025 these alarming surges have been clearly linked to drug-related crimes, bringing condemnation from the United Nations (UN), who have stated that these particular crimes do not meet the threshold of “most serious crimes”.
It is believed that 1,500 people were executed in Iran in 2025, 47% of whom were punished for drug-related offences. The rise in drug-related executions has risen dramatically in the country, from 2020 when it was around 20 to 2024 when the number stood at over 700. Human rights organisations in Iran believe that the government is unlawfully targeting immigrants and ethnic minorities from the poorest areas, who upon arrest are being executed secretly and without a fair trial.
The trend for the use of capital punishment for drug-related offences is mirrored in Saudi Arabia, where 386 people were executed, with 78% of the executions being related to narcotics. From 2022 the country reinstated the use of the death penalty for crimes related to drugs, and Riyadh’s “War on Drugs” has focused on border crossings with the majority of those executed being foreigners.
Among other countries with rising rates of executions, the USA showed an increase of 88% in 2025 when compared with the 2024 figure. In total, 47 men were executed in 2025. However, public support for this level of capital punishment is currently at a 50-year low, which is in complete contrast to the government’s drive to promote executions as a way to solve chronic social problems.
Encouragingly, progress continues to be made in several countries globally. In Vietnam, the government has reduced the number of crimes that are punishable by death, while Zimbabwe eradicated capital punishment for ordinary crimes. In total, 170 countries have abolished the death penalty, and while these developments demonstrate meaningful progress, significant work remains to be done.
Glossary
Abolition (Abolish) – the complete ending of a law, system, or practice.
Capital punishment – the legal killing of a person by the state as punishment for a crime.
Chronic– something that lasts for a long time, especially when talking about a problem or an illness
Death penalty – a punishment in which someone is executed for a crime.
Deterrent – something intended to stop people from committing crimes.
Eradicated – completely removed so that it no longer exists.
Ethnic minorities – smaller ethnic groups within a larger population.
Fair trial – a legal process where the accused is treated justly and their rights are respected.
Impoverished – extremely poor; lacking basic resources.
Ordinary crimes – crimes that are not extremely serious, such as theft or minor offences.
Narcotics – drugs that are deemed to be illegal
Public support – approval or backing from the general population.
Punishable – able to be legally punished.
Targeting – deliberately choosing a specific person or group to act against.
Unlawfully – in a way that is illegal or against the law.
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