Death Penalty in China
Similar to the United States, China has had a death penalty as long as the United States, if not longer just because it has been a country for much longer. Not many statistics are known about how many people the Chinese execute yearly, based on the fact it is kept a state secret, unlike in the United States. This is done to not alarm people and other nations how many people are taken down in this fashion, but also because "human rights organizations estimate that China carries out thousands of executions a year, more than the rest of the world together" (Death Penalty Worldwide). Most of the information is kept secret, but the estimates are also so high in China based on their high population and their reasons for executions, and "according to Amnesty International, China imposed 7003 death sentences in 2008, although this may be a significant underestimate" (Death Penalty Worldwide). There are no mandatory reasons in China for executions, however reasons include: rape, terrorism, economic crimes, selling tainted food, drug trafficking and child prostitution. Main categories defined by law for the penalty is "murder, robbery, abduction, drug trafficking and intentional injury" (Death Penalty Worldwide).
The two main types of execution are lethal injection and a firing squad. Lethal injection is the same as the United States, also known as the three drug cocktail. This method is usually used for smaller crimes, such as economic ones. A firing squad is used for what are considered more major offenses, such as murder. Executions usually take place in prison or in execution vans, however they have been declining as they cost to much in upkeep. Like the United States, the death penalty in China is as bad if not worse, and should be stopped.
The two main types of execution are lethal injection and a firing squad. Lethal injection is the same as the United States, also known as the three drug cocktail. This method is usually used for smaller crimes, such as economic ones. A firing squad is used for what are considered more major offenses, such as murder. Executions usually take place in prison or in execution vans, however they have been declining as they cost to much in upkeep. Like the United States, the death penalty in China is as bad if not worse, and should be stopped.
The death penalty clearly varies at least a small bit between countries, as some appear more severe than others. Nonetheless, in all countries, including China, it should just be stopped completely and other ways should be found to deal with criminals. China pulls off executing people as a good thing however, they stay very closed about the subject and don't let any information out. It is known that "The cost of a single dose of lethal injection is cheaper—at 300 yuan—than the 700 yuan price tag of a firing squad" (Death Penalty Worldwide). Many believe the government uses lethal injections to profit and make money in secret. This method is also used more because "reduction of family complaints (due to massive disfiguration caused by shots to the back of the condemned’s head)" (Death Penalty Worldwide). On its own, this statement is very cruel as this means the families' got to see their loved one disfigured due to a firing squad. There are also issues with the fact that the organs are harvested from the prisoners before they are killed, describe as "it was surgery to remove any physical part that carried retail potential from individuals selected by the state" (World Affairs Journal) showing that the state decided to do it without consent and pick and chose from the person.Like the U.S., this clearly goes against what the United Nations believes in with no cruel punishments. It is unclear if the people wish for change or if perhaps they are too scared to try due to fear of being executed, however there are alternatives to taking a drug cocktail which could be very painful as described beforehand, or being shot in the back of the head and other parts by a firing squad. Even a lifelong prison sentence is better, as it does not leave anyone's human rights violated. Severity of punishment for crimes that may not have been intentional, such as the tainted food on accident, raise big red flags that punishments should be dealt with in a different way.