Amnesty International reports global surge in executions for 2025

Amnesty International's 2025 report indicates that global executions reached their highest level since 1981, rising by 78% to at least 2,707 recorded cases. This figure excludes China, which the organization believes remains the world leader in capital punishment. Iran accounted for 80% of the documented executions, with at least 2,159 people hanged, compared to 972 in 2024. The report notes a significant increase in Iranian executions following a 12-day conflict involving Israel and the United States in June. Specifically, 654 executions occurred before this conflict, while 1,505 took place between July and December. Amnesty International asserts that Iranian authorities are using the death penalty as a tool for political suppression and control. The data does not include potential thousands of executions carried out in China or specific figures related to protests in January and the broader Middle East conflict that began on February 28.