Urgent Call for Medical Community to Oppose Capital Punishment Amid Rising Executions

The medical community is urged to take a stand against capital punishment, as recent statistics reveal a troubling increase in executions worldwide. A researcher advocates for healthcare professionals to refuse involvement in the execution process, highlighting the ethical implications of such participation.

Bharat Malkani, a legal scholar at Cardiff University, emphasizes that the principles of healthcare should fundamentally oppose practices that compromise health and well-being. Despite a decline in the number of countries executing prisoners, Amnesty International reports a rise in the number of executions within nations that still uphold the death penalty. In 2024, at least 1,518 executions were documented globally, an increase from 1,153 in 2023, marking the fourth consecutive year of rising numbers. This figure represents the highest annual total reported since 2015.

The majority of these executions occurred in just three countries: Iran (approximately 972), Saudi Arabia (at least 345), and Iraq (at least 63). Moreover, Saudi Arabia has already executed over 241 individuals in 2025, setting the stage for a potential record year.

Though exact figures remain elusive, it is believed that thousands of executions take place annually in China, where such information is classified. There is increasing concern regarding the sentencing of individuals to death for minor offenses or political dissent. Malkani illustrates this point with the case of Turki al-Jasser, a journalist executed for exposing corruption within the Saudi royal family.

This situation raises alarming questions about the justice system, particularly regarding the execution of individuals with mental health issues or intellectual disabilities, a practice that contravenes international laws.

Another critical aspect that warrants the attention of the medical community is the role of healthcare professionals in executions. The American Medical Association's code of ethics explicitly states that physicians should not participate in executions, yet there have been instances where this guideline has been ignored. In some jurisdictions, doctors may be legally compelled to administer lethal injections, prompting the World Medical Association to call for an end to physician involvement in such processes.

According to Malkani, the global trend towards authoritarianism and stringent law enforcement suggests that the practice of capital punishment is unlikely to diminish in the near future. He urges advocacy groups to continue to spotlight the moral and ethical dilemmas associated with state-sanctioned executions.

Healthcare professionals, respected for their authority and integrity, have a vital role in the movement against capital punishment. By refusing to be complicit in executions, they can assert that this form of punishment is not only inhumane from a medical perspective but also a violation of fundamental human rights.