Saddam's execution will boost opposition to capital punishment worldwide, including the United States and the Middle East, "because it will be viewed as following a flawed, rushed trial that resulted in a penalty that is cruel and inhumane," said Zahir Janmohamed of Amnesty International, winner of the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize.
More than half the world's countries -- 129 -- have abolished the death penalty in law or in practice, according to Amnesty.
China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United States accounted for 94 percent of the executions recorded by Amnesty International in 2005. Of the known total, China had the lion's share with at least 1,770 while 60 were executed in the United States, Amnesty said.
Seventy-two percent of the 50 U.S. states had no executions in 2006, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Most executions in 10 states are on hold as aspects of their capital-punishment laws are examined. Two states -- Illinois and New Jersey -- have a formal moratorium on all executions while their legislatures weigh the issues. [more]
Maybe we see so many pictures of the people Bush has killed for a simple reason: he's proud of it; it's the only thing he knows how to do.
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