Year
How to use the database
HANDS OFF CAIN’S 2015 REPORT
The worldwide situation (as of 30 June 2016)
EXECUTIONS IN 2014
EXECUTIONS IN 2015 (as of 30 June)
The most important facts of 2015 (and the first six months of 2016)
ADDRESS of Pope Francis
THE SMILING FACE OF THE MULLAHS
Reportage by Sergio D'Elia
ANALYSIS OF THE 2015 REPORT DATA AND OBJECTIVES OF HANDS OFF CAIN
Reportage by Marco Perduca
"THE ABOLITIONIST OF THE YEAR 2015” AWARD
Protocol of understanding between NTC and CNF
Dossier on death penalty and homosexuality
Final declaration of the Cairo workshop
Goals
Achievements
GENERAL MOTION OF THE FIFTH CONGRESS OF HOC
RESOLUTION OF THE KIGALI CONFERENCE
U.N. RESOLUTION 2014

U.N. RESOLUTION 2012
U.N. RESOLUTION 2010

REPORT ON THE 2ND ANNUAL EU FORUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY IN ZAMBIA

Videos

DECLARATION OF LIBREVILLE

Publications
Hands Off Cain Headquarters
U.N. RESOLUTION 2008

U.N. RESOLUTION 2007

Appeal To The United Nations
Board of Directors

LETHAL TRADE DOSSIER
2014 FREETOWN CONFERENCE Final Declaration
THE COTONOU DECLARATION 2014
DOSSIER IRAQ 2003

DOSSIER ON MORATORIUM
DOSSIER IRAQ 2012

DOSSIER USA 2011

NOBEL LAUREATES APPEAL
Bulletin Board
Sign up
Join appeal
Newsletter
Our Publications

THE DEATH PENALTY FOR DRUG OFFENCES: GLOBAL OVERVIEW 2022 (HARM REDUCTION INTERNATIONAL)

March 20, 2023:

As of December 2022, Harm Reduction International (HRI) recorded at least 285 executions for drug offences globally during the year, a 118% increase from 2021, and an 850% increase from 2020.
Executions for drug offences are confirmed or assumed to have taken place in six countries: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, plus in China, North Korea and Vietnam - on which exact figures cannot be provided because of extreme opacity. Therefore, this figure is likely to reflect only a percentage of all drug-related executions worldwide. Confirmed death sentences for drug offences were also on the rise; with at least 303 people sentenced to death in 18 countries. This marks a 28% increase from 2021.
While more countries abolished the death penalty in 2022, the use of capital punishment for drug offences is going in a markedly different direction, impinging on the likelihood of achieving global abolition. Despite the adoption of a new UN General Assembly Resolution for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, with historic support from 125 countries (compared to 123 in 2020), known executions for drug offences are back to amounting to over 30% of all global executions - the highest recorded figures since 2017.
35 countries retain the death penalty for a range of drug offences worldwide. In 2022, drug-related executions were confirmed in four countries (China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Singapore). Executions are assumed to have been carried out in North Korea and Vietnam, but state secrecy and censorship in these countries does not enable confirmation of a minimum figure.
Two countries resumed drug-related executions after a short hiatus: Singapore, after a two-year pause, and Saudi Arabia, which reneged on its 2021 declaration of a moratorium on executions for non-violent offences.
Almost nine out of ten confirmed executions for drug offences took place in Iran.
303 death sentences for drug offences were confirmed in 18 countries (dozens more are likely). This represents a 28% increase in reported sentences from 2021.
At least 3700 people are currently on death row for drug offences in 19 countries.
As for drug-related executions in 2022, Iran carried out at least 252 (44% of total), Saudi Arabia at least 22 (15% of total); Singapore 11 (100% of total).
People who are marginalised, including because of their socioeconomic status, ethnicity, drug use, mental and/or intellectual disability, and nationality, continue to be disproportionately impacted by the death penalty for drug offences. For example, In Iran, 40% of those executed for drug offences identified as Baluchi. This ethnic group represents around 2% of the total population.
Two countries (Cuba and Sri Lanka) expanded the applicability of the death penalty for drug offences in law in 2022.
Harm Reduction International (HRI) is an NGO with Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

(Source: Harm Reduction International)

YEMEN: HOUTHIS SENTENCE MEN TO DEATH, FLOGGING
TUNISIA: FOUR PEOPLE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR 2013 ASSASSINATION OF POLITICIAN
USA - Louisiana. Senate Judiciary passes HB 6 adding nitrogen to execution methods
INDIA: 5 SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER OF FORMER ODISHA BLOCK CHAIRMAN
BANGLADESH: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR 2018 MURDER OF ELDERLY WOMAN IN CHATTOGRAM
INDIA: 8 DACOITS GIVEN DEATH PENALTY FOR KILLING THREE
USA - The National Registry of Exonerations published its 2023 report
PAKISTAN: TWO WOMEN GET DEATH SENTENCE FOR KILLING THEIR MADRASSA TEACHER
GUYANA MAINTAINS STANCE ON DEATH PENALTY
KENYA: JOSEPH 'JOWIE' IRUNGU SENTENCED TO DEATH IN MONICA KIMANI MURDER CASE
DRC LIFTS DEATH-PENALTY MORATORIUM TO EXECUTE THOSE WHO WORK WITH M23 - OR SHOW COWARDICE
RECORD NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXECUTED FOR DRUG OFFENCES IN 2023
INDIA: MAN GETS DEATH SENTENCE FOR KILLING LANCE NAIK IN BAREILLY
IRAN - “Black Tuesdays” Hunger Strikes Against the Death Penalty
USA - Georgia. Willie Pye, 59, Black, was executed
USA - Delaware. Judiciary Committee passed HB 70 to repeal death penalty
MALAYSIA: MAN GETS DEATH FOR 200KG OF DRUGS IN TAWAU
BANGLADESH: 4 GET DEATH SENTENCE FOR KILLING CHILD IN N'GANJ
TAIWAN: CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DECLINES DEATH ROW INMATES' APPEAL FOR REVIEW
MALAYSIA: DEATH SENTENCE OF CAMBODIAN MAN COMMUTED TO 60 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CAUSING DEATH
IRAN - Scale of Iran rights abuses slammed at UN
USA - Alabama. Marco Perez officially sentenced to death
IRAN - 7 Public Executions in 2023
IRAN - Implemented Executions versus Forgiveness
MALAYSIA: TWO MEN GET DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED
IRAN - 5 Juvenile Offenders Executed in 2023
IRAQ: SUSPECTED ISIS MURDERER SENTENCED TO DEATH
IRAN - Behzad Bidrang executed in Qazvin on March 14
NIGERIA: EKITI STATE HIGH COURT SENTENCES MAN TO DEATH FOR ARMED ROBBERY
JAPAN: DEATH SENTENCE OVERTURNED FOR KUDOKAI GANG BOSS

1 2 3 [Succ >>]
2024
january
february
march
  2023
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2022
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2021
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2020
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
 
2019
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2018
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2017
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2016
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2015
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2014
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
 
2013
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2012
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2011
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2010
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2009
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2008
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
 
2007
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2006
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2005
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
  2004
january
february
march
april
may
june
july
august
september
october
november
december
 
IRAN - Wife of Djalali pleads for EU action
  IRAN - Hands off Cain Year End Report: At least 284 executions in 2020  
  IRAN: HANDS OFF CAIN, THE HANGING OF THE PROTESTER MOSTAFA SALEHI IS A SHAME FOR THE SO-CALLED DEMOCRATIC WORLD   
  USA: ‘BLACK LIVES MATTER’, BUT IS IT ONLY RACISM?  
  IRAN. HANDS OFF CAIN, REDUCTION OF DRUG EXECUTIONS BUT NUMBERS REMAIN WORRISOME  
  HUMAN RIGHTS: DEMONSTRATION OF THE RADICAL PARTY BEFORE IRANIAN EMBASSY 14 FEBRUARY  
news
-
latest actions
-
data base
-
actions
-
who we are
-
registered users
-
credits