The Crucial Role of Medical Professionals in Opposing the Rise of Capital Punishment

The global increase in executions has sparked concerns within the healthcare community about the ethical responsibilities of medical professionals. According to an expert published in The BMJ, healthcare workers have a significant role to play in opposing the death penalty, emphasizing that participation in executions conflicts with their fundamental commitment to promoting health and saving lives. Bharat Malkani, a law scholar at Cardiff University, advocates that doctors must refuse to partake in the execution process and vocally oppose practices that undermine human rights and ethical standards.

Despite a decline in the number of countries that legally carry out executions, Amnesty International reports a worrying rise in executions within those countries where it remains legal. In 2024, at least 1,518 executions were documented worldwide, marking the fourth consecutive year of increase, with the highest recorded since 2015. The majority of these executions occurred in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq, with Saudi Arabia known to have already executed over 241 individuals in 2025, potentially setting new records.

Alarmingly, thousands of executions in China are believed to go unreported, as official figures are kept secret. Moreover, individuals sentenced to death often include those convicted of minor crimes or those who have spoken out against government authorities, raising serious human rights concerns. For example, the execution of journalist Turki al-Jasser in Saudi Arabia, who exposed corruption, underscores the troubling intersection of free speech and capital punishment.

Malkani highlights that the execution of political prisoners and others, including those with mental illnesses or intellectual disabilities, contradicts international laws that prohibit such practices. He also points out the problematic involvement of medical professionals in executions; while the American Medical Association's code opposes physician participation, some doctors still contribute to lethal injections, often under legal coercion. The World Medical Association has formally called for an end to healthcare worker participation in executions.

Given the persistent trend toward authoritarianism and harsher law enforcement policies worldwide, Malkani asserts that abolition efforts must continue vigorously. Healthcare professionals, respected and influential voices, can advocate for justice by refusing to be complicit in executions and emphasizing their inhumanity and ethical violations. Their advocacy is vital in highlighting the immorality of state-sanctioned death and upholding the right to life.

For more information, see the original article in The BMJ: Medical opposition to capital punishment is needed as executions surge.