The Death Penalty

1
The Death Penalty

• Until 1996 execution was carried out by shooting
  usually at an outdoor public execution ground
• The Chinese authorities now include a new method
  of execution-lethal injection
• People are executed for a wide range of crimes
  including murder,rape,assault,theft,
  prostitution,drugs,killing a tiger,firearms
• More people have been sentenced to death for
  non-violent crimes e.g. stealing cows

2
Recent cases

• Although some are sentenced for more serious e.g.
  baby trafficking, drugs, fraud
• Human rights groups however argue that the rise
  in the use of the death penalty is alarming

3
Treatment of prisoners

• Paraded in front of large crowds, where their
  crimes and sentences are read out
• Usually just before execution takes place
• Forced to face the crowds with a placard
  announcing name and crimes
• Hands are tied behind their back, kneeling down
  they are shot through the back of the head or
  heart
• The relatives have to pay for the bullet

4
China to review systemBBC report 2005

• China carried out more executions than all other
  countries combined - at least 3,400
• China says it will tighten conditions under which
  people can be executed
• the death penalty would be given "carefully and
  fairly"

5
China revises death penalty

• The Supreme Court used to make the final decision
  on capital cases, but after Beijing launched a
  huge anti-crime drive that authority was
  delegated to high courts.
• The move to reverse that may stem from pressure
  to live up to commitments under a UN civil rights
  convention

6
Use of organs for transplant

• 90 of transplant kidneys come form executed
  prisoners
• Reports that executions are delayed or brought
  forward depending on the demand for organs

• Process kept secret, but reports people now
  traveling to China to take advantage of
  availability
• Organs removed without permission immediately
  after execution