China as the world’s leading executioner should concern the NZ Government

Embargoed Till Tuesday 24 March 2009, 1:00pm.

Amnesty International has today revealed that Asia carried out more executions than any other part of the world in 2008, with China alone accounting for almost three quarters of the world's executions.

"Considering New Zealand's increasing trade links with China, these findings from our annual death penalty report should be of serious concern to the NZ Government," says Rebecca Emery, Amnesty International Aotearoa NZ's spokesperson.

Amnesty's report, Death Sentences and Executions in 2008, which provides a world overview on the death penalty, found that between January and December 2008, China carried out at least 1,718 executions and sentenced at least 7003 people to death. These figures, up from 470 executions and 1860 death sentences in 2007, are believed to be much higher because actual statistics remain state secrets.

Amnesty NZ has repeatedly raised concerns with the NZ Government about China's use of the death penalty, most recently during this year’s scandal regarding the announcement of the executions of two SanLu officials.

"It is very disappointing that despite NZ playing a significant role in bringing about a global suspension of the death penalty, the Government allowed trade advantages to come before showing leadership in speaking out against this issue,' says Emery.

More than 60 offences are considered punishable by death in China, including non-violent crimes.

"While over half of the world is moving away from the death penalty, it is a horrific revelation that China has increased its rate of executions by 365%," adds Emery.

Background:
Amnesty International has been working to abolish the death penalty since 1977 and opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception, regardless of the nature of the crime. Amnesty believes the death penalty violates the right to life and is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.

The full report, Death Sentences and Executions in 2008, will be available from 24 March. To see the report and more information about Amnesty's work to abolish the death penalty, please visit: www.amnesty.org.nz/deathpenalty

In 2007, New Zealand played a leading role in the UN adoption of a global moratorium on executions, voted in by 104 nations. 137 countries have now abolished the death penalty.

ENDS

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