Iraq
Death penalty and prisoners' rights · Archive since 1999
Data card
- Legal status
- Retentionist
- Executions recorded in 2026
- 1
- Executions recorded in 2025
- 0
- First news item in the archive
- JANUARY 1, 1999 · In mid-January, Col
- News items in the archive
- 874
Source: Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026.
Iraq is classified as Retentionist in the Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026. In 2026 the association recorded 1 executions in the country, against 0 the year before. The archive holds 874 news items on Iraq, from 1999 to today.
In Iraq death sentences come largely from terrorism proceedings, often collective and concluded quickly. The method is hanging. Executions are carried out in groups, usually with no notice to the families and with announcements afterwards.
International bodies have repeatedly reported trials lacking minimum guarantees and sentences founded on confessions. The archive follows executions, sentences and requests for a stay.
Latest news
- MAY 29, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ. DEATH PENALTY RETURNS TO IRAQ, WITH A VENGEANCE
according to a poll conducted by the US International Republican Institute published earlier in the month, 60 percent of Iraqis wanted the nation's constitution, currently being drawn up by lawmakers, to mention "extensive use of the death penalty".
- MAY 29, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ. 60% OF IRAQIS FAVOUR INCLUSION OF DEATH PENALTY IN NEW CONSTITUTION, POLL
it was reported that according to a poll conducted by the US International Republican Institute published earlier in the month, 60% of Iraqis wanted the nation's constitution, currently being drawn up by lawmakers, to mention "extensive use of the death p
MAY 25, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ. FORMER ARMY CAPTAIN CONDEMNED TO DEATH
Tahassin Ali Mutar Janabi, an Iraqi army captain who served under ousted dictator Saddam Hussein, was sentenced to death.
- MAY 23, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ. RESPONSE TO DEATH PENALTY BEING USED TO CONTROL VIOLENCE
it was reported that International human rights organisations had raised concern over the Iraqi prime ministers' recent announcement that the death penalty would be implemented as a way to control ongoing violence and insurgency in the country.
- MAY 22, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ. FIRST DEATH SENTENCES IN THE COUNTRY FOR INSURGENTS
an Iraqi court sentenced three rebels to death for rape, kidnapping and murder, the first death sentences passed in connection with the ongoing insurgency.
- MAY 17, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ. GOVERNMENT VOWS TO EXECUTE REBELS
mortars, bombs and drive-by gunmen killed at least 24 Iraqis as the new government vowed to punish the killers of at least 50 other people found slain in the last 48 hours, saying insurgents were trying to start open warfare between Shi'ites and Sunnis.
MAY 2, 2005Palestinian TerritoriesDEATH PENALTYJORDAN. THREE MEN EXECUTED FOR MURDER AND THEFT
Jordan executed a Palestinian, a Jordanian and an Iraqi convicted of killing a jeweler during a robbery, a security official said.
- APRIL 18, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ. PRESIDENT SPARKS DEBATE OVER SADDAM DEATH PENALTY
it was reported that an announcement by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani that he would not sign Saddam Hussein's death warrant if he received the death penalty for war crimes sparked heated debate in the country.
APRIL 10, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ. NEW PRESIDENT OPPOSED TO SADDAM DEATH SENTENCE
Iraq's new president, Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani, hinted in an interview that he opposed the idea of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein being sentenced to death.
MARCH 31, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: SADDAM TO GET DEATH SENTENCE, JUDGE
an Iraqi judge on the court that will try Saddam Hussein said the former Iraqi dictator committed many crimes and likely will be sentenced to death.
- MARCH 4, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ. GOVERNMENT DOES ABOUT TURN ON ISSUE OF INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
only a week since announcing the intention of adhering to the Statute of Rome and thus also to the International Court of Justice, the provisional government of Iraq announced the withdrawal of such an initiative with a new decree, stated the Italian grou
FEBRUARY 21, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ. TOWARDS ADHESION TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
(Sources: No Peace Without Justice, 21/02/05;)
- FEBRUARY 9, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
Iraqi officials said that the legal reckoning for Saddam Hussein...
Iraqi officials said that the legal reckoning for Saddam Hussein...
- JANUARY 1, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
an Iraqi and a Pakistani were executed in Saudi Arabia
an Iraqi and a Pakistani were executed in Saudi Arabia
- DECEMBER 22, 2004Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Iraqi national Qaed bin Kamal al-Ziyadi was executed
Iraqi national Qaed bin Kamal al-Ziyadi was executed
- DECEMBER 19, 2004IraqDEATH PENALTY
Saudi Arabia executed two Iraqis
Saudi Arabia executed two Iraqis
- DECEMBER 14, 2004IraqDEATH PENALTY
Iraq is suffering from a severe lack of qualified judges...
Iraq is suffering from a severe lack of qualified judges...
- DECEMBER 10, 2004Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
two Iraqis who robbed and murdered a man they lured into their tent were executed
two Iraqis who robbed and murdered a man they lured into their tent were executed
- DECEMBER 5, 2004Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Dakhel bin Fahd bin Mohammad al-Ghlidawi, an Iraqi national, was executed
Dakhel bin Fahd bin Mohammad al-Ghlidawi, an Iraqi national, was executed
- DECEMBER 2, 2004JordanDEATH PENALTY
Jordan’s Criminal Court sentenced an Iraqi national, Nathem I., to death
Jordan’s Criminal Court sentenced an Iraqi national, Nathem I., to death
- NOVEMBER 21, 2004IraqDEATH PENALTY
The interim Iraqi government of Iyad Allawi threatened...
The interim Iraqi government of Iyad Allawi threatened to charge anti-US occupation imams with high treason, which carried capital punishment
- NOVEMBER 21, 2004IraqDEATH PENALTY
Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, one of Iraq's leading Shiite Muslim...
Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, one of Iraq's leading Shiite Muslim politicians, said he was convinced Saddam Hussein would be executed if an Iraqi court heard his case
- OCTOBER 23, 2004IraqDEATH PENALTY
Some 150 to 160 Arab fighters have appeared in Iraqi...
Some 150 to 160 Arab fighters have appeared in Iraqi courts charged with carrying out terrorist attacks and could face the death penalty if convicted, the justice minister said
- OCTOBER 22, 2004IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ. UN DECLINES TO TRAIN IRAQIS FOR SADDAM TRIAL
the United Nations has rejected a request from Iraqi leaders to train some 30 judges and prosecutors who would be trying former President Saddam Hussein, in part because Baghdad has the death penalty, a UN spokesman said.
- SEPTEMBER 27, 2004IraqDEATH PENALTY
An official Justice Ministry source said that based...
An official Justice Ministry source said that based on the provisions of Article 26 of the interim Iraqi State Administration Law, the Council of Ministers had decided to reinstate the death penalty and to start applying it at the courts of the Justice Mi
- SEPTEMBER 21, 2004IraqDEATH PENALTY
The trial and possible execution of Saddam Hussein...
The trial and possible execution of Saddam Hussein would discourage the die-hard remnants of the old Ba'athist regime and "show Iraq and those beyond Iraq that tyranny will not win", Iyad Allawi, the country's interim Prime Minister, said
- AUGUST 17, 2004IraqDEATH PENALTY
Denmark has resumed handing over Iraqi detainees to...
Denmark has resumed handing over Iraqi detainees to British forces, after receiving guarantees that no prisoners will face the death penalty
- AUGUST 11, 2004IraqDEATH PENALTY
Tariq Aziz, the jailed former deputy prime minister...
Tariq Aziz, the jailed former deputy prime minister...
- AUGUST 11, 2004United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
prisoners taken by British forces were liable to be executed by the Iraqi authorities
prisoners taken by British forces were liable to be executed by the Iraqi authorities
- AUGUST 10, 2004IraqDEATH PENALTY
Denmark says its forces in Iraq will no longer hand...
Denmark says its forces in Iraq will no longer hand over prisoners to Iraqi authorities after the interim government reinstated the death penalty