USA: Pause for thought: Another lethal injection halted by US Supreme Court\n

USA: Pause for thought: Another lethal injection halted by US Supreme Court\n

Index Number: AMR 51/161/2007
Date Published: 18 October 2007
Categories: USA, Americas

After recent stays of execution, this document argues that there may now be a de facto moratorium on lethal injections pending the Supreme Court's ruling in 2008 on the questions raised in Baze v. Kentucky. The vast majority of executions in the USA are by lethal injection, and most condemned prisoners challenge their execution. This apparent pause provides an opportunity for reflection. Clemency authorities should commit themselves to a permanent moratorium on executions. Legislators should commit themselves to abolition.