Significant Increase in Global Executions Raises Alarm at UN

The UN highlights a global increase in executions, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where rates have surged by 31% in 2023. UN High Commissioner Volker Türk emphasizes the death penalty’s contradiction to human rights and its discrimination against minorities. He calls for all practicing nations to halt its use and consider humane alternatives.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has raised alarming concerns regarding the substantial rise in global executions, with Saudi Arabia identified as one of the leading nations in this regard. He indicated that the number of executions in 2023 had surged by 31% compared to 2022, marking the highest rate of executions documented in the past eight years.

During a session at the Human Rights Council on February 25, 2025, Commissioner Türk reiterated that the death penalty fundamentally violates the right to life and human dignity. He highlighted that over 40% of global executions were related to drug offenses, despite international human rights norms stipulating that capital punishment should only be applied for the gravest offenses, such as premeditated murder.

Türk noted with concern that while 113 countries have abolished the death penalty entirely, countries like Saudi Arabia continue to execute individuals at alarming rates. This situation not only affects the condemned but also has profound ramifications for their families and the broader society.

The Commissioner further emphasized the discriminatory nature of the death penalty, which disproportionately impacts ethnic and religious minorities as well as marginalized populations. He cautioned that the presence of capital punishment may facilitate the repression of civil liberties and the persecution of activists and defenders of human rights.

The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights has corroborated that UN documentation frequently outlines Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the rise in executions globally. In 2025 alone, the kingdom has reportedly executed 65 individuals, with 33 of these cases related to drug offenses, which are not classified as the most serious crimes under international law.

Türk urged nations that still enforce the death penalty to halt its practice immediately and pursue more humane judicial alternatives. He underscored that capital punishment fails to deliver justice or deter crime and poses a severe risk of executing innocent individuals due to irreversible judicial mistakes.

In summary, the alarming rise in global executions, particularly in Saudi Arabia, has prompted significant concern from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. He advocates for the immediate suspension of the death penalty, urging nations to explore humane alternatives. This situation underscores the need for a reevaluation of capital punishment practices, considering their disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities and the inherent risks of judicial errors.

Original Source: shiawaves.com