In April 2023, during the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, strongly criticized the death penalty as an outdated and inhumane practice that contradicts modern values. The historical involvement of physicians in executions has given the practice an aura of legitimacy, but it fundamentally clashes with the ethical principles of their profession. Amnesty International’s report revealed a troubling rise in official executions globally, with China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the USA among the top executioners, often linked to authoritarian regimes and the suppression of political dissent, drug offenses, and LGBTQ+ identities.

“Officially documented executions increased by 53%, from 579 in 2021 to 883 in 2022. The world’s most prolific executioners in 2022 were: China (thousands), Iran (576), Saudi Arabia (196), Egypt (56), and the USA (18). 93% of global executions, excluding China, were carried out in the Middle East and north Africa. In 2022, Amnesty recorded 325 executions for drug-related offences, including 255 in Iran and 57 in Saudi Arabia. Worldwide, 11 countries threaten the death penalty for those in the LGBTQ+ community. “1

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References

  1. Wallender, E., Peacock, G., Wharton, M., & Walensky, R. P. (2023). Uninsured and Not Immune — Closing the Vaccine-Coverage Gap for Adults. The New England Journal of Medicine, 389(3), 193–195. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmp2306200

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