Executions in North Korea increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by the Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG). Between 2020 and 2024, at least 153 people were executed or given death sentences, much higher than in the years before the pandemic. Many of the punished people were accused of watching or sharing [...]
The use of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia has increased greatly in recent years, raising serious human rights concerns. Since King Salman bin Abdulaziz came to power, along with Mohammed bin Salman, executions have passed 2,000. This rise goes against promises to reduce such punishments and improve human rights. Many executed people were not [...]
A new law about the death penalty in Israel has raised serious concerns among human rights groups. The law allows courts to impose the death penalty for certain terrorism-related crimes. According to Human Rights Watch, the law may mainly affect Palestinians, especially those living in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In civil courts, the law orders [...]
In Saudi Arabia, the use of the death penalty has increased sharply in recent years, causing strong concern among human rights groups. In 2025, authorities carried out more than 300 executions, including people accused of nonviolent crimes such as drug offences and peaceful protests. Some of those executed were foreign workers, and at least two [...]
In 2025, Saudi Arabia executed 356 people, the highest number ever recorded in a single year in the kingdom. Most of these executions were linked to Riyadh’s “war on drugs,” with 243 people put to death for drug-related crimes. Many of those executed had been arrested years earlier, and most were foreigners. Saudi Arabia resumed [...]
A new UN report says the government in North Korea is becoming harsher and controlling. People are being executed just for watching or sharing foreign movies and shows, and many face forced labour in dangerous jobs. Life is very hard, with not enough food and no freedom to make choices. Technology is being used to [...]
In 2025, Saudi Arabia carried out a record number of executions, at least 241 by August 5, many without fair trials, according to Human Rights Watch and the Middle East Democracy Center. This includes the execution of journalist Turki al-Jasser on June 14 for allegedly “terrorist” acts, though no evidence was provided. Al-Jasser had exposed [...]
Vietnam’s National Assembly has decided to end the death penalty for eight serious crimes, including embezzlement, bribery, counterfeit medicine trading, drug transport, espionage, sabotage, and attempts to overthrow the government. From July’2025, people convicted of these crimes will get life imprisonment instead of death. Those already sentenced to death for these crimes before July 1 [...]
Saudi journalist Turki al-Jasser was arrested in 2018 for allegedly running a social media account that exposed corruption in the royal family. He was held in secret, tortured, and denied legal help or contact with his family. In 2025, after seven years in prison, Saudi Arabia executed him. Al-Jasser had written about sensitive issues like [...]
Saudi Arabia executed 330 people last year, 2024, the highest toll in decades, despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2022 claim that the death penalty would only apply in murder cases. The executions, which include over 150 for non-lethal crimes like drug smuggling and anti-government protests, have raised concerns about human rights abuses. The country's [...]
