Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

An interesting article in the NYT on Sunday 9/10 about China's capital punishment system. According to the article, China has executed as many people over the last year as the rest of the world put together; has executed as many as 191 people in a single day; and 3,000 since April of this year. Executions are carried out for relatively minor crimes (like bribery, tax fraud, drug trafficing to stealing diesel fuel).

Convictions and death sentances are sometimes handed down within just a few months or even days of the initial arrest - contrasted with the endless appeals and decade-plus delays in the U.S.

Many of the convictions are based on "confessions" that are extracted under torture. Since no fewer than 21 prisoners were tortured to death a few years ago (probably underreported), it can be quite effective.

The article notes that these totals are probably too small, as most executions are not reported in the press.

Here's my point. You can disagree with America's approach to capital punishment and other issues - I do in many ways. That doesn't mean that we are anywhere near as bad as the PRC, or that we are precluded from critisizing their human rights record.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

quote:

---

Originally posted by VTL
[...] Here's my point. You can disagree with America's approach to capital punishment and other issues - I do in many ways. That doesn't mean that we are anywhere near as bad as the PRC, or that we are precluded from critisizing their human rights record.

---

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

I'm not sure that's true, given the numbers set forth in the NYT article. I haven't sat down and done the math, but even with its much larger population, I think the PRC is still executing folks at a much higher rate than we are.

Besides, the rate itself isn't the only issue. As set forth in the article, there are huge procedural problems with the death penalty in China, where you can be arrested, charged, tried, convicted, exhaust your appeals, and be put up against the wall and shot - all within the same month.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

quote:

---

Originally posted by VTL
I'm not sure that's true, given the numbers set forth in the NYT article. I haven't sat down and done the math, but even with its much larger population, I think the PRC is still executing folks at a much higher rate than we are.

---

Is the article available online?

quote:

---

Besides, the rate itself isn't the only issue. As set forth in the article, there are huge procedural problems with the death penalty in China, where you can be arrested, charged, tried, convicted, exhaust your appeals, and be put up against the wall and shot - all within the same month.

---

Sure, and I think I mentioned that earlier within the thread. Josh might accuse you of being duped by the media, though.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

quote:

---

Originally posted by Toby
Sure, and I think I mentioned that earlier within the thread. Josh might accuse you of being duped by the media, though.

---

__________________
-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

quote:

---

Originally posted by dick-richardson
The numbers are solid, and the reasons stated for the executions seem solid. I've never denied that China has problems they need to deal with - merely the severity portrayed by our media and our responsibility to lay blame when our hands are stained as well.

---

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

Toby:

I assume the article was (and probably still is) online - I read it on my Prism via the NYT AvantGo channel.

Hey - since I worked a reference to my Prism into the thread, does this mean it's not "off topic" anymore?

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

Bush will have no trouble getting his NMD up and running after all this. None from me, at any rate.

__________________
-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 138

quote:

---

Originally posted by dick-richardson
Bush will have no trouble getting his NMD up and running after all this. None from me, at any rate.

---

__________________
When I get a little money I buy books; if any is left, I buy food and clothes.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

quote:

---

Originally posted by Potus
Such a defense system would have no effect on the events today: completely ineffective to stop this kind of activity.

---

__________________
-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.