DUSHANBE, April 6, 2016, Asia-Plus -- The world saw the highest number of recorded executions in more than 25 years in 2015, according to a new report from human rights group Amnesty International (AI).

At least 1,634 people were reportedly executed last year, an increase of more than 50% on 2014.

The number of countries executing reportedly rose, from 22 in 2014 to 25 in 2015.  At least six countries that had not put anyone to death in 2014 did so in 2015. 

According to the AI’s annual report, the dramatic increase was fueled by three nations -- Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia -- who together were responsible for nearly 90% of executions in 2015.

Iran put 977 people to death in 2015, the rights group says, over 200 more than in 2014, and mostly for “drug-related offences.”

In response to the Pakistan Taliban attack on a school in Peshawar that massacred children in December 2014, Pakistan lifted a seven year moratorium on the death penalty to allow executions for terrorism-related offences.  In March 2015, the government confirmed it was changing its policy and executions were resuming for all capital crimes.

Pakistan executed 326 people in 2015, the highest number ever recorded by Amnesty International in Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia has long faced international criticism for both the manner and the methods of its judicial killings.

In September 2015 a group of U.N. experts called for the Saudi monarch, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, to reconsider the high profile death sentence of Ali al-Nimr, nephew of firebrand Shiite Cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.  Al-Nimr was 17 at the time of his arrest for Arab Spring-inspired protests, and faced execution by beheading and crucifixion. His uncle was executed in January 2016.

In Saudi Arabia, executions reportedly rose by 76% on 2014’s figures, as at least 158 people were put to death last year.  Most were beheaded, but authorities also used firing squads and sometimes displayed executed bodies in public, the report says.

But the dubious distinction of executing the most prisoners rests with China, according to Amnesty.  Amnesty estimates that China is the world''s top executioner, with deaths last year “in the thousands.”  Researchers can''t calculate the precise number because China considers this information a state secret.  But Amnesty researchers said that it''s likely the number of executions has “diminished” as a result of “ongoing reforms.”

Amnesty said there were indications that the death penalty was declining in popularity in some countries.

Thus, the United States carried out 28 executions, the lowest number since 1991.

As far as Europe and Central Asia are concerned, Belarus was reportedly the only country in the region to use the death penalty.  While the country did not execute anyone in 2015, at least two new death sentences were imposed.

Kazakhstan, Russia and Tajikistan continued to observe their formal moratoriums on death penalty, the report notes.