Singapore, not China, is the world's execution capital
Jane Bywaters of Amnesty International connects the coming Beijing Olympics with her speculation of how many people may be executed by the Chinese judicial system during this period (Death toll during Olympics, H&H letters April 24). We seem to have com
Jane Bywaters of Amnesty International connects the coming Beijing Olympics with her speculation of how many people may be executed by the Chinese judicial system during this period (Death toll during Olympics, H&H letters April 24).
We seem to have completely forgotten the UK athletes going out there to compete for gold, silver and bronze. They appear to have disappeared into a propagandised haze.
I am myself against the death penalty though some people no doubt deserve it, but the innocent have to be protected long enough to defend themselves against a horrendous sentence.
It was interesting to look at Tony Wheeler's Blog Online (Lonely Planet.com). Judge for yourself what country executes the most people yet is held up as a hard-working, clean and orderly city-state:
USA: (300 million people) 60 executions per year, or 20 per 100 million
Vietnam: (80 million people) 60 executions per year (75 per 100 million people).
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Iran: (70 million people) 160 executions per year (230 per 100 million people).
China: (1.3 billion people) 3,500 executions per year (270 per 100 million).
Singapore: (four million people) 30 executions per year (750 per 100 million).
And don't forget those who die in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hands of the occupying forces without charge or trial.
Tying in the Olympics with China's own personal problems is possibly setting a precedent. If so then the UK may face a lot of protest during its 2012 Olympic Games from various quarters.
Wilson John Haire
Lulot Gardens, N19
