The Strange Case of Chinese Executions

Now here's an interesting observation if a bit ironic. China, along with Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the USA usually end up at the top of the list of countries where executions happen.

I have seen emails from right-wing Americans float across my inbox, spitting on public executions of criminals in Iran. I'm not very sure what are they objecting to. Are they objecting to the execution or the fact that it's happening in public? If the latter, then it's silly because that's obviously missing the wood for the trees. But I am digressing.

Many NGOs and Human Rights Activists have been on this case for a long time, and China obviously is in the crosshairs. Which is why the China Daily, the official mouthpiece of the Chinese state is now stating that,

 

"Vice president of the Supreme Court of China Jiang Xingchang said on Thursday that since January 1, the number of death penalty cases has continued to decrease. Last year there was the lowest number of the death penalty cases in ten years. "

And

"Jiang Xingchang said that the reform of the capital punishment approval system has been recognized by the people and has become common knowledge in various judicial departments and people's courts. In recent years, the number of death penalty cases with a two-year delay of execution has been equal to or greater than the number of death penalty cases with immediate execution.

Jiang Xingchang said there has been significant improvement in controlling the standards of the death penalty. The Supreme Court has paid closer attention to evidence; and is more careful to ensure fair judicial procedures.

"There should be serious consideration of and standard procedures on whether or not a criminal should be sentenced to death," said Jiang Xingchang."

All very nice and good, but on the same day, this also comes out.

"A letter written by the disgraced former head of China's drug watchdog Zheng Xiaoyu shortly before his execution in July is being used to warn local government officials against corruption.

Zheng's letter titled " Posthumous Writings of Remorse" was read to prosecutors in Bozhou city, Anhui Province, at a routine meeting recently to encourage the legal officials to draw lessons from the case and maintain an honest work ethic, Friday's Procuratorial Daily reports."

As long as the Chinese state looks at the death penalty as a measure of retribution, punishment and a way to teach lessons, the death penalty will keep on being applied. And as you would have surmised, I am not in favour of the death penalty at all. The day our legal system is proven 100% accurate, just and fair, I will agree. :)

All this to be taken with a grain of piquant salt!!!