No EXECUTIONS

On 10-10-2015, the World Day for the Elimination of Executions, as in previous years, rallies were held in both Kirkuk and Erbil with the participation of organizations against genocide and human rights.They called on the Iraqi and Kurdistan presidents not to sign any death sentences and to ban the death penalty in Iraq and Kurdistan. Fortunately, the Kurdistan Region has not carried out any death sentences for a long time.

In recent years, the use of the death penalty in Iraq has surged dramatically, drawing condemnation and concern from international organizations. In 2024, Iraq carried out at least 63 executions almost quadruple the figure from the previous year according to Amnesty International, making it one of the leading executioners globally alongside Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Surge in Executions

Reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch highlight that this alarming increase marks the highest level of executions in nearly a decade, echoing a broader regional trend of rising capital punishment. Authorities have particularly targeted individuals accused of terrorism or affiliation with the Islamic State group, with numerous executions carried out following collective and expedited trials.

Judicial Flaws and Due Process Concerns

Major organizations, including Amnesty International and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, have voiced serious concerns about systemic flaws in Iraq’s judiciary. Many death sentences are based on confessions allegedly extracted under torture, while defendants face limited access to legal counsel, hasty trials, and restricted appeals processes. Human Rights Watch specifically notes a surge in executions that do not meet international fair trial standards, rendering many of them unlawful.

International Outcry

The global response has been critical. Recent reporting by The Guardian references Amnesty’s annual review, noting that Iraq’s execution practices drew widespread outrage throughout 2024, with calls to halt the death penalty and address rampant abuses in the judicial system. The World Coalition highlights that such practices threaten innocent lives, particularly when evidence is weak or proceedings lack transparency, and that the system’s shortcomings are not limited to terrorism cases but extend to all facets of criminal justice.

The Plight of Women and Families

Women have faced especially harsh consequences under Iraq’s death penalty framework. Many sentenced women are convicted for mere association such as familial ties to alleged terrorists—rather than for violent acts themselves, revealing further injustices in a deeply flawed legal system.

Conclusion

Recent years have seen Iraq emerge as one of the most active users of the death penalty, with mass executions and unfair judicial processes drawing international criticism. The combined analyses of The Guardian, Human Rights Watch, and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty underscore a pattern of increasing executions, rights violations, and calls for systemic reform.

References: dw.com , amnesty.org , deathpenaltyinfo.org , ohchr.org , ecpm.org , euaa.europa.eu