The Number of Death Sentences and Executions Worldwide Increased in 2021

Amnesty International recorded an increase in death sentences and executions worldwide in 2021.

Details show 2,052 death sentences were handed down in 56 countries. This figure represents a 39% increase from the previous year's 1,477 sentences.

"At least 28,670 people were sentenced to death worldwide up to 2021," Amnesty International stated in its report.

Regarding executions, 579 people were executed in 18 countries in 2021. This is a 20% increase from the 483 executions recorded in 2020.

Amnesty International noted that the 2020 execution figure was the lowest in its records since 2010.

"These figures do not include the thousands of executions and death sentences carried out and imposed in China – a country that remains the world's leading executioner," Amnesty International wrote in a more comprehensive report.

According to the organization, several countries often conceal or restrict access to information regarding capital punishment.

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions led some countries to partially lift or replace certain punishments. Therefore, the number of executions in 2020 was lower than in previous years. However, some countries continued to carry out executions.

Singapore reported no executions for two consecutive years, 2019-2020. Scheduled hangings in the country were postponed.

Amnesty International's records show that significantly more countries abolished the death penalty for all crimes – 108 countries in 2021. In the same period, only 8 countries abolished it for ordinary crimes.

28 countries in 2021 retained the death penalty but did not carry out executions for at least 10 years. Meanwhile, 55 countries in 2021 maintained the death penalty in their laws. Indonesia falls into this last category.

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The following are Amnesty International's records on death sentences and executions:

* 2015
* Sentences: 1,998 cases
* Executions: 1,634 people

* 2016
* Sentences: 3,117 cases
* Executions: 1,032 people

* 2017
* Sentences: 2,591 cases
* Executions: 993 people

* 2018
* Sentences: 2,531 cases
* Executions: 690 people

* 2019
* Sentences: 2,307 cases
* Executions: 657 people

* 2020
* Sentences: 1,477 cases
* Executions: 483 people

* 2021
* Sentences: 2,052 cases
* Executions: 579 people

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