Executions around the world rose to the highest number recorded in five years in 2022, according to an annual report by Amnesty International. At least 883 executions were recorded globally last year, a 53-percent increase over 579 deaths in 2021. Egypt, Iran and Saudi Arabia carried out 90 percent of the executions recorded, with Iran and Saudi Arabia executing people for non-lethal crimes in violation of international law. The rise in executions coincided with a crackdown on dissent in the authoritarian kingdom. Meanwhile, four countries abolished the death penalty for all crimes, and the United States executed 18 people, the fewest since 1991. The report serves as a stark reminder of the need for governments to move away from the death penalty and uphold human rights.
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