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
- JULY 24, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
The Iranian government spokesman Abdullah Ramezanzadeh...
The Iranian government spokesman Abdullah Ramezanzadeh rejected the Iraqi government assertions on arresting and execution of two individuals allegedly spying for Iran
- JUNE 12, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
It was reported that Saddam's eldest son, Udai, together,...
It was reported that Saddam's eldest son, Udai, together, with his brother, Qusai, has signed an estimated 10,000 execution orders
- MAY 16, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
The European Parliament adopted a resolution - drafted...
The European Parliament adopted a resolution - drafted by Emma Nicholson (ELDR, United Kingdom) - by 354 votes in favour, 29against with 31 abstentions deploring the situation in Iraq, eleven years after the Gulf War
- APRIL 15, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
An Iraqi opposition organization reported that new...
An Iraqi opposition organization reported that new executions were carried out by the authorities after the visit to Iraq of UN rapporteur on human rights Andreas Mavromatis in February and after his call to the regime to put an end to these executions an
- APRIL 1, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
Andreas Mavrommatis, special rapporteur on Iraq, reported...
Andreas Mavrommatis, special rapporteur on Iraq, reported to the Human Rights Commission
- MARCH 22, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
The Iraqi regime recently executed three military personnel,...
The Iraqi regime recently executed three military personnel, including a leading figure in the ruling Ba'ath Party, an Iraqi opposition group said
- MARCH 18, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
An Iraqi opposition group said the Iraqi authorities...
An Iraqi opposition group said the Iraqi authorities executed three senior army officers early in March on charges of "assailing" and opposing Iraqi President Saddam Husayn
- MARCH 12, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
Addressing a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party...
Addressing a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party over the prospect of British involvement in US military action against Iraq, UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw emphasised that no decision had been taken on opening a second front in the War on Terror,
- FEBRUARY 27, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
An Iraqi opposition group reported that two employees...
An Iraqi opposition group reported that two employees of the Basra-based Al-Shuaiba oil institution were executed at the beginning of February
- FEBRUARY 25, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
The Iraqi regime perpetrated a new massacre in Abu...
The Iraqi regime perpetrated a new massacre in Abu Gharib Prison on [the] outskirts of Baghdad early in February, an Iraqi opposition group said
- FEBRUARY 14, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
Two criminals were executed at the Mahattah Prison in Arbil
Two criminals were executed at the Mahattah Prison in Arbil
- JANUARY 6, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
Eight Iraqi citizens were executed in the province...
Eight Iraqi citizens were executed in the province of Basra on charges of links with opposition forces, said the human right[s] office of the Communist Party
- JANUARY 1, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been in force in the Iraqi legal...
The death penalty has been in force in the Iraqi legal system since 1921, following the foundation of the Iraqi State (1920), its field of application has been extended since the taking of power by the Baath party in 1968 and since 1979, the year marking
- JANUARY 1, 2002IraqDEATH PENALTY
The Iraqi penal code sentences to the death penalty...
The Iraqi penal code sentences to the death penalty :- anyone attempting to murder the president (article 223)
- DECEMBER 9, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
A former Iraqi ambassador accused of embezzlement is...
A former Iraqi ambassador accused of embezzlement is in hiding in Austria to avoid a possible death penalty at home, according to the magazine Profil
- DECEMBER 4, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
The UN Third Committee concluded session by approving...
The UN Third Committee concluded session by approving draft resolutions on human rights in Myanmar, Afghanistan, Iraq, Democratic Republic of Congo
- NOVEMBER 25, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
The Iraqi authorities were reported to have secretly...
The Iraqi authorities were reported to have secretly executed nine pro-Syrian members of the Baath Party in October
- NOVEMBER 25, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
The Iraqi government executed 15 Kurdish oppositionists...
The Iraqi government executed 15 Kurdish oppositionists in Kirkuk
- NOVEMBER 15, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
The Iraqi Communist Party Human Rights Office said...
The Iraqi Communist Party Human Rights Office said that in a savage Nazi way to eliminate detainees at dictator's prisons, the executioner, Qusay Saddam Husayn, supervised the execution of 15 detainees at the Gas Chamber
- NOVEMBER 14, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
At the opening session of the UN Third Committee's...
At the opening session of the UN Third Committee's general debate on human rights, Canadian delegate Gilbert Laurin said that the Iraqi Government continued to show complete disregard for the rights and dignity of its citizens
- NOVEMBER 12, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
Andreas Mavrommatis, Special Rapporteur at the UN Third...
Andreas Mavrommatis, Special Rapporteur at the UN Third Committee, expresses `grave concern' about human rights situation in Iraq
- NOVEMBER 8, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
Fifteen Iraqis were recently executed and buried in...
Fifteen Iraqis were recently executed and buried in a mass grave on the outskirts of Kirkuk city near Tobzawa camp on charges of opposing the ruling regime, an opposition group said
- NOVEMBER 7, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
An Iraqi opposition leader living in London said that...
An Iraqi opposition leader living in London said that two officers in Iraq's special security intelligence unit tried to kill Saddam Hussein's son in October within the presidential palace grounds in Baghdad
- OCTOBER 29, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
Four pilots were reportedly executed in the Muthanna...
Four pilots were reportedly executed in the Muthanna air force base near Baghdad
- OCTOBER 24, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
Iraq's citizens face arbitrary execution, religious...
Iraq's citizens face arbitrary execution, religious persecution, torture and forced relocation, a United Nations human rights expert revealed in a report
- JULY 10, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
The Kyodo news agency reported that Iraq, for the first...
The Kyodo news agency reported that Iraq, for the first time in over a decade, said in a news report it was willing to have a dialogue with the U
- JUNE 1, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
The Iraqi penal code sentences to the death penalty...
The Iraqi penal code sentences to the death penalty :- anyone attempting to murder the president (article 223)
- JUNE 1, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty has been in force in the Iraqi legal...
The death penalty has been in force in the Iraqi legal system since 1921, following the foundation of the Iraqi State (1920), its field of application has been extended since the taking of power by the Baath party in 1968 and since 1979, the year marking
- APRIL 6, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
Amnesty International said that 'Abd al-Wahad al-Rifa'i...
Amnesty International said that 'Abd al-Wahad al-Rifa'i who was hanged after he had been held in prison without charge or trial for more than two years on suspicion of being in contact with the Iraqi opposition abroad
- MARCH 29, 2001IraqDEATH PENALTY
The Bekaa Criminal Court convicted an Iraqi national...
The Bekaa Criminal Court convicted an Iraqi national to death