Mogadishu (Raxanreeb Online) – The number of people executed around the world has seen a shocking rise in 2024, according to a new report from Amnesty International.

The human rights organization says 1,518 people were put to death this year alone — a32% increase from the previous year. This marks the highest number of executions recorded since 2015, even though fewer countries are actually carrying out the death penalty.

While China is believed to still execute more people than any other country, there are no official numbers available — the Chinese government keeps such figures a state secret.

Saudi Arabia came in second, executing 345 people, followed by Iraq with 63 executions.

One of the most disturbing findings in the report is that Iran and Somalia carried out death sentences on four minors — young people under the age of 18 — which goes against international human rights law.

The report also confirms that Iran and Afghanistan were the only countries that conducted public executions in 2024, a practice widely condemned for its brutality.

Amnesty International says the sharp increase in executions is a worrying trend — especially in countries that continue to use the death penalty against vulnerable individuals, including juveniles.