- 113 countries had abolished the death penalty in law by the end of 2024. Where the death penalty remains in place there is growing evidence that shows its use is inherently and systematically arbitrary.
- The number of retentionist countries is at a historic low of 15, however Amnesty International’s report on the death penalty in 2024 showed the highest record since 2015 of global executions in the same year reaching 1,518.
- Methods used around the world for execution include hanging, shooting, beheading, stoning, crucifixion, gas asphyxiation, electrocution and lethal injection. Some countries still carry out public executions. All executions constitute cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment; there is no painless way to take a person’s life.
- International law expressly prohibits the execution of children and young people who were under the age of 18 at the time of the offence, pregnant women, and people suffering from mental illnesses.
- International law also requires states that retain the death penalty to observe a number of limitations on its use, including to only impose the death penalty for the ‘most serious crimes’. The UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions has found that only ‘intentional killing’ fits the definition of ‘most serious crimes’. However, according to Harm Reduction International, by the end of 2024, 34 jurisdictions continued to impose capital punishment for drug-related offences, and in 2024 nearly 40% of all known executions were for drug related convictions (at least 615 individuals).
- In capital punishment cases international law requires the observance of fair trial guarantees, and that where capital punishment is carried out, it is done in such a way that inflicts as little suffering as possible.
- In December 2024 a record 130 countries supported a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a moratorium on the death penalty.