Beijing to adopt lethal injection: Chinese state media | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Beijing to adopt lethal injection: Chinese state media

AFP | By, Beijing
Jun 16, 2009 10:16 AM IST

Criminals sentenced to death in Beijing are to be killed by lethal injection, not by gunshot, by year's end, state media said on Tuesday in China, the nation that executes more convicts than any other.

Criminals sentenced to death in Beijing are to be killed by lethal injection, not by gunshot, by year's end, state media said on Tuesday in China, the nation that executes more convicts than any other.

HT Image
HT Image

Authorities have built a site next to a prison outside Beijing housing most of the capital's death row inmates where the lethal injections are to be carried out, the China Daily reported.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Officials will soon start training judicial police to administer the injections, and medical staff will learn to supervise the use of drugs, monitor and confirm the deaths, the report said.

Hu Yunteng, head of the Supreme People's Court's research bureau, told the China Daily that lethal injectionis legalised in 1997 was considered cleaner, safer and more convenient than gunshot executions.

"As lethal injection is the most popular method for execution adopted by countries with capital punishment, China will follow suit," Hu was quoted as saying.

"It is considered more humane as it reduces the criminals' fear and pain compared with gunshot execution."

In 2008, more than 1,700 people were executed in China out of a global total of almost 2,400, according to Amnesty International.

China does not publish data on the death penalty, and rights groups say the number could be much higher.In the most recent high-profile case, China executed two Muslim men in its far northwest in April for a "terrorist" attack that was aimed at sabotaging last year's Olympics in Beijing and left 17 policemen dead.

China has slowly been reforming its death penalty system after acknowledging several miscarriages of justice.

At the beginning of 2007, the Supreme People's Court began reviewing every death penalty case rather than allowing lower courts to issue the final judgement a move which China says has led to fewer executions.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On