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Death penalty

Topic

The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, refers to the practice by states of putting a person to death for committing certain crimes.

Skip next section News

News

May 19, 2023

Iran executes 3 men linked to Amini protests

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Protests featuring nooses and the Iranian flag in Iran

Death penalty: Executions at highest rate in five years

Death penalty: Executions at highest rate in five years

At least 883 people were executed worldwide in 2022, says Amnesty International — many of them in Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Human RightsMay 16, 2023
Uganda Anti LGBTQ Bill

Uganda passes world's strictest anti-LGBTQ bill

Uganda passes world's strictest anti-LGBTQ bill

Despite international condemnation, Uganda's parliament passed a revised version of an anti-LGBTQ bill.
PoliticsMay 6, 202302:44 min
A portrait of dissident Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi is seen being held up during a human rights demonstration.

Iran: Jailed rapper Toomaj Salehi could face death penalty

Iran: Jailed rapper Toomaj Salehi could face death penalty

The jailed rapper was a public supporter of the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement. Friends believe he has been tortured.
Human RightsMarch 28, 202303:22 min
Hangman's knot on a rustic wooden table in a conceptual image of death penalty

India refuses to abolish death penalty

India refuses to abolish death penalty

Many believe capital punishment is needed to deter serious crimes, though critics have disputed this claim
Law and JusticeMarch 9, 2023
A US protester holds up a red sign with white letters reading: It is not OK to execute the innocent

Poor Kenyans likely to end up on death row: study

Poor Kenyans likely to end up on death row: study

Kenya's death penalty disproportionately affects people in low-income households. Many lack proper legal representation.
Human RightsFebruary 7, 2023
A noose hangs in front of the Iranian flag

Iran protesters fight death penalty as executions await

Iran protesters fight death penalty as executions await

Resistance is growing against Iran's plans to execute more participants in the ongoing nationwide protests.
Rule of LawJanuary 12, 2023
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

Two women wearing loose headscarves smiling for the camera

Iran: Jailed female journalists face regime's smear tactics

More female journalists are behind bars in Iran than ever before, many of them without charges.
Press FreedomNovember 26, 2022
A crowd gathers around four nooses

Use of death penalty declines in Africa

Many African countries are witnessing a fall in the number of state executions.
Law and JusticeNovember 16, 2022
Skip next section Opinion

Opinion

von Hein Matthias Kommentarbild App

End executions now

Matthias von Hein
Commentary
April 10, 2016
Weigand Florian Kommentarbild App

Clearing the death cells

Florian Weigand
Commentary
August 4, 2015