United States fifth on list of 2013's top executioners
- 10 years ago
An annual report by Amnesty International puts the United States as 5th on the list of countries with the most executions in 2013.
It falls behind China, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL ISSUES AT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, AUDREY GAUGHRAN, SAYING:
"Almost 100 more people were put to death in 2013 compared to 2012. The countries responsible for that sharp spike are largely Iran and Iraq. Four countries also resumed executions during 2013, which was quite troubling."
The report comes as Texas is set to execute convicted murderer Anthony Doyle by lethal injection - their fourth execution of the year.
Other U.S. States are having problems obtaining drugs used in lethal injections, and so they've had to postpone capital punishments.
But Texas has obtained a fresh batch from an undisclosed source.
China is said to be responsible for more executions than all other countries put together.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DI
It falls behind China, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL ISSUES AT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, AUDREY GAUGHRAN, SAYING:
"Almost 100 more people were put to death in 2013 compared to 2012. The countries responsible for that sharp spike are largely Iran and Iraq. Four countries also resumed executions during 2013, which was quite troubling."
The report comes as Texas is set to execute convicted murderer Anthony Doyle by lethal injection - their fourth execution of the year.
Other U.S. States are having problems obtaining drugs used in lethal injections, and so they've had to postpone capital punishments.
But Texas has obtained a fresh batch from an undisclosed source.
China is said to be responsible for more executions than all other countries put together.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DI