By John Lee.
According to Amnesty International, Iraq witnessed a significant increase in executions in 2024, with at least 63 known executions, up from 16 in 2023 -- the highest number recorded since 2019.
All executions involved individuals convicted of terrorism-related offences, amid ongoing concerns about violations of fair trial rights and reports of torture or ill-treatment to obtain confessions.
The organisation says that mass executions were reportedly carried out without notifying legal representatives or families. Amnesty cited unverified reports that an additional 30 individuals were executed secretly in Nasriya on 20th June, although Iraq's Ministry of Justice denied the claim.
In 2024, Iraqi courts imposed 181 new death sentences:
- 40 for terrorism-related offences,
- 19 for murder,
- 122 for drug-related offences, including 11 foreign nationals.
In contrast, the Kurdistan Regional Government maintained its moratorium on executions.
As of 31st December 2024, 471 individuals - including 22 women - remained on death row across Iraq.
Click here to read the full report in English.
Click here to read the full report in Arabic.
(Source: Amnesty International)
Comments are closed.