article_snippet.sent: At least 607 people were executed around the world in 2014, compared to 778 in 2013.
article_snippet.sent: While the report notes some encouraging signs, the report also highlights a marked increase in the number of people sentenced to death in 2014.
article_snippet.sent: At least 2,466 people globally are confirmed to have been handed the sentence last year, an increase of 28% compared with 2013.
article_snippet.sent: the report notes that the spike in sentencing is attributable to mass-sentencing in countries including Egypt and Nigeria, "against scores of people in some cases.
article_snippet.sent: Sharp spike in death sentences .
highlights_snippet.sent: Amnesty's annual death penalty report catalogs encouraging signs, but setbacks in numbers of those sentenced to death .
  