Every death sentence, and every execution, directly contradicts the USA’s stated commitment to the principles of the Universal Declaration and its vision of a world in which the rights to life and freedom from cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment of all people are fully respected. In total, 1,436 prisoners have been put to death in the USA since its Supreme Court approved new capital statutes in Gregg v. Georgia on 2 July 1976. More than 8,000 death sentences have been passed during these 40 years. Nearly 3,000 men and women remain on death row today.
