International Mechanism Submissions

This report addresses Iraq’s compliance with international human rights obligations with respect to the death penalty, prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, conditions of detention, and administration of justice and fair trial.

Iraq has neither abolished the death penalty nor implemented a moratorium on executions, nor has it limited the application of the death penalty to the most serious crimes.

Execution rates in Iraq increased by 45% between 2022 and 2023, with 11 executions in 2022 and over 16 executions in 2023.1 Iraq currently ranks fifth among countries that carry out the most death sentences globally. The high number of executions in 2023 is particularly concerning in light of evidence of the use of torture in coercing confessions related to crimes punishable by the death penalty, lack of access to counsel for many suspects charged with death-eligible offenses, the judicial system’s reluctance to investigate allegations of torture, allegations of unfair trials, and a lack of transparency in court proceedings. Reports suggest that many of the people sentenced to death are innocent and have been targeted due to sectarianism.

This report examines the current state of the death penalty in Iraq and recommends Iraq (1) abolish the death penalty. In the meantime, this report recommends Iraq : (2) institute an official moratorium on executions, (3) limit the death penalty to the most serious crimes in which the defendant commits an intentional killing, (4) take comprehensive steps to eliminate the use of torture, (5) ensure conditions of detention are in line with the Nelson Mandela and Bangkok Rules, (6) and take measures to guarantee fair trial to defendants.