Amnesty International has announced that the number of countries that have fully abolished the death penalty has risen to 112 in 2024, compared to just 16 when the organization began its campaigning efforts against capital punishment in 1977.
The human rights watchdog shared these encouraging statistics on its social media platforms, expressing hope that the death penalty can become a “thing of the past” in the near future.
“When we amnesty began our global campaigning on #deathpenalty in 1977, only 16 countries had abolished it. Today, in 2024, 112 countries have fully put an end to this cruel punishment. We have never felt more hopeful that the death penalty can become a thing of the past,” Amnesty International stated in its post.
The sevenfold increase in the number of countries abolishing the death penalty over the past four decades is a testament to the growing international consensus that capital punishment is a violation of human rights and human dignity.
Despite this progress, Amnesty International acknowledged that the journey towards complete abolition is far from over, with more than 80 countries still retaining and using the death penalty.
Amnesty International has been at the forefront of global efforts to abolish the death penalty, campaigning tirelessly to raise awareness, advocate for legal reforms, and support those wrongfully convicted or facing execution.
The organization’s unwavering commitment to protecting human rights has played a crucial role in this progress, and its latest announcement serves as a rallying call for continued efforts to ensure that no person is subjected to the ultimate cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment.
As the world edges closer to the complete abolition of the death penalty, Amnesty International’s message resonates with renewed hope and determination to create a more just and humane global society.
