MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – Recorded executions soared to their highest number in almost a decade in 2023, driven by sharp increases across the Middle East and in Somalia, Amnesty International reported today in its annual survey on the global use of the death penalty.
Globally, a total of 1,153 known executions took place in 2023, marking an increase of more than 30% from 2022. This is the highest figure recorded by Amnesty International since 2015. Despite this rise, the number of countries carrying out executions dropped to its lowest on record.
In 2023, sub-Saharan Africa saw a significant setback in the fight against the death penalty. Recorded executions in the region more than tripled from 11 in 2022 to 38 in 2023, all of which occurred in Somalia.
The number of recorded death sentences also surged by 66%, from 298 in 2022 to 494 in 2023.
Top five countries with the highest number of executions
Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, stated, “Despite a reduction in executing countries—from two in 2022 to one in 2023—the 38 executions recorded in Somalia were the highest total in the region since 2015.”
The top five countries with the highest number of executions in 2023 were China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and the USA. Excluding China, Iran alone accounted for 74% of all recorded executions, while Saudi Arabia accounted for 15%. The USA also saw an increase in executions.
The number of known death sentences imposed globally rose by 20% in 2023, reaching a total of 2,428. In sub-Saharan Africa, death sentences were recorded in 14 countries, with notable increases in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, and Zimbabwe.
Somalia
Chagutah emphasized the urgent need for abolition, saying, “Capital punishment is irreversible and a gross violation of human rights. Somalia and the few remaining countries in Africa that still retain the death penalty must heed the progressive regional trend and abolish the punishment once and for all.”
Somalia alone executed 31 in 2023.
Despite the overall rise in executions, progress was noted. As of today, 112 countries are fully abolitionist, with 144 having abolished the death penalty in law or practice.
Asia
In Asia, Pakistan repealed the death penalty for drug-related offenses, and Malaysia abolished the mandatory death penalty. Additionally, Sri Lanka’s President indicated no intention to resume executions.
Amnesty International highlighted the impact of state secrecy, noting that their numbers exclude the thousands of executions believed to have been carried out in China. North Korea and Vietnam are also thought to extensively use the death penalty but lack transparent reporting.
“The death penalty will again come under scrutiny at this year’s UN General Assembly. Amnesty International urges all governments to rally behind the UN’s call to end the use of the death penalty in a vital show of commitment to human rights,” concluded Chagutah.