The Guardian view on the death penalty: Christa Pike’s execution was botched, but cruelty is inherent
Three-quarters of nations have rightly abolished capital punishment in law or practice, but killing by the state has surged in the US

TL;DR
- Three-quarters of nations have abolished capital punishment.
- Capital punishment has been abolished in law or practice by most nations.
- State-sanctioned killings have increased in the US.