Record Drug-Related Executions in 2023 Rise by 44% – Report, Iran

A record number of people were executed for drug offenses in 2023, as revealed in the latest report by Harm Reduction International. At least 467 drug-related executions were recorded last year, marking a 44% increase from the previous year. Despite significant gaps in data from countries like China, Vietnam, and North Korea, the report highlights the concerning rise in the use of the death penalty for drug crimes globally. Various countries, including Iran, Kuwait, and Singapore, were identified for carrying out such executions, underscoring ongoing human rights concerns and legal implications surrounding the practice. Notably, international law prohibits the use of the death penalty for offenses that do not meet certain criteria, reaffirming the need for addressing such practices. While some countries have taken steps towards reforming their death penalty systems, others continue to impose death sentences for drug-related convictions, contributing to the persistence of this issue on a global scale.