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
- JANUARY 1, 2014IraqDEATH PENALTY
On April 9, 2003 Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime was overthrown by a US-led military coalition.
On April 9, 2003 Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime was overthrown by a US-led military coalition.
DECEMBER 31, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: AT LEAST 169 PEOPLE PUT TO DEATH IN 2013
at least 169 people were put to death in 2013, by far the country's highest such figure since the 2003 US-led invasion, and one that puts it third in the world, behind just China and Iran.
- DECEMBER 18, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTY
Between 17 and 18 December 2013, Iraq executed seven people convicted on terrorism charges, the
Between 17 and 18 December 2013, Iraq executed seven people convicted on terrorism charges, the
NOVEMBER 24, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: 11 PRISONERS EXECUTED OVER TERROR CHARGES
The Iraqi Ministry of Justice executed 11 convicted prisoners over terror charges, despite international
- NOVEMBER 21, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTY
the Iraqi Government announced its non-commitment towards
the Iraqi Government announced its non-commitment towards
- NOVEMBER 21, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ: GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES ITS DESIRE TO CANCEL DEATH PENALTY
Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights announced a desire to cancel the death penalty imposed on
NOVEMBER 19, 2013LibyaDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: A LIBYAN PUT TO DEATH IN BAGHDAD
the NGO Libyan Prisoners Abroad reported that a Libyan found guilty of murder, Adel Zuwai, was
NOVEMBER 17, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: 12 ‘TERROR’ CONVICTS EXECUTED
Iraqi authorities executed a dozen “terrorism” convicts, defying widespread international condemnation
NOVEMBER 7, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: EXECUTIONS AT THEIR HIGHEST IN POST-SADDAM IRAQ
At least seven prisoners were sent to the gallows in Iraq, bringing the number of known executions
OCTOBER 10, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: 42 TERROR CONVICTS EXECUTED
Iraq executed 42 "terrorism" convicts over the past week, the justice ministry said, defying international condemnation of its extensive use of the death penalty, as deadly violence intensifies.
- OCTOBER 1, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ: 23 PEOPLE EXECUTED IN SEPTEMBER ON TERRORISM CHARGES
Iraq executed 23 people during two days in September, most of them convicted on
- SEPTEMBER 22, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ EXECUTES 13 MEN FOLLOWING UNFAIR TRIALS MARRED BY TORTURE ALLEGATIONS
13 men were executed in Baghdad, bringing the total number of executions in Iraq so far this year to at least 73.
- SEPTEMBER 4, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ: THREE TERRORIST ELEMENTS EXECUTED
The Iraqi Ministry of Justice announced that three men convicted of terrorism crimes have
AUGUST 19, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ. 17 EXECUTIONS INCLUDING TWO WOMEN
Iraqi authorities executed 17 people, including an Egyptian man and two Iraqi women, most of whom were convicted of terrorism, Iraq's Ministry of Justice said in a statement released.
- AUGUST 19, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ: 17 EXECUTED INCLUDING 2 WOMEN
On 19 August 2013, Iraqi authorities executed 17 people, including
- JULY 16, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTY
the Iraqi criminal court in Baghdad condemned to death an al-Qaeda member
the Iraqi criminal court in Baghdad condemned to death an al-Qaeda member
JULY 14, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYSAUDIS TORTURED IN IRAQI PRISONS
Saudi inmates in Iraqi prisons are tortured and executed without facing any specific
JUNE 24, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: SUPREME JUDICIAL COUNCIL SENTENCES 2 AL-QAEDA MEN TO DEATH
The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) of Iraq sentenced two al-Qaeda members to death
- JUNE 4, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ: COURT SENTENCES 6 AL-QAEDA MEMBERS TO DEATH
Six al-Qaeda members convicted of carrying out terrorist attacks have been sentenced to death
APRIL 19, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: PILLAY CONDEMNS RAMPANT USE OF DEATH PENALTY
the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, condemned the 16 April
APRIL 18, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYUNITED NATIONS URGES HALT TO IRAQI EXECUTIONS
The United Nations called on Iraq to suspend use of the death penalty after authorities executed
APRIL 16, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ PUTS 21 TO DEATH IN ONE DAY OVER 'TERROR'
Iraq has put 21 men to death, a senior justice ministry official has told AFP, the
APRIL 7, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: 7 CONVICTS OVER TERROR CHARGES EXECUTED
The Iraqi Ministry of Justice announced that it has executed seven convicted prisoners over terror
APRIL 1, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: FOUR EXECUTED INCLUDING AL-QAEDA CHIEF
Iraq executed Al-Qaeda's former Baghdad chief and three other men convicted of terror
- MARCH 27, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ: 18 EXECUTED DESPITE INTERNATIONAL OUTCRY
Iraq executed 18 people this month, eight of them on the same day as an attack on the justice ministry, a top official said, despite global condemnation over its ongoing executions.
- FEBRUARY 20, 2013Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
an Iraqi court has sentenced a Saudi man to death for joining a Jihadist group
an Iraqi court has sentenced a Saudi man to death for joining a Jihadist group
JANUARY 23, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: TAREQ AZIZ 'DEPRESSED, SEEKS SPEEDY EXECUTION'
Tareq Aziz, the late Saddam Hussein's ailing former deputy premier now on death
- JANUARY 1, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTY
On April 9, 2003 Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime was overthrown by a US-led military coalition.
On April 9, 2003 Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime was overthrown by a US-led military coalition.
DECEMBER 17, 2012IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: 28 DEATH SENTENCES RATIFIED
Death sentences for 28 people accused of terrorism-related offences were reportedly ratified
DECEMBER 13, 2012IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ: FUGITIVE VP GIVEN FIFTH DEATH SENTENCE
An Iraqi court has handed down a fifth death sentence on the country's fugitive Sunni Vice President