Axing The Death Penalty

Illawarra Mercury

Friday July 4, 2008

The torch relay continues through China.

This week it will pass through Shaanxi province, the home of Wu Zhenjiang, a 24-year-old student who was executed in 2005 after allegedly killing a man.

China, the country which was supposed to improve its human rights record as a result of being granted permission to hold the 2008 Olympic Games, executes more people than the rest of the world put together (possibly 8000 people each year).

There are 68 offences which attract the death penalty, including white collar crimes. No one sentenced to death has a fair trial.

Trials are short, evidence that is extracted under torture is allowed, and defendants have limited access to lawyers.

China will put on its best face during the Olympics, but we should remember that the country retains that most barbaric of punishments - the death penalty.

Throughout the world 135 countries have now abolished the death penalty in law or practice and the UN has adopted a resolution calling for a global moratorium on the death penalty.

It is time that China joined the 87 countries which sponsored that resolution.

China should deliver on the promises it made, otherwise the Olympics will bring no lasting human rights benefits to the citizens of China.

Bronwyn Bryceson, Mangerton.

Responsible freedom

With freedom comes responsibilities, and in regards to free speech (Michael Jones, Mercury July 1), we have the responsibility not to be an offensive buffoon as was the 16-year-old Queensland youth.

In this case, the police were right to arrest him. The average person would find that slogan offensive regardless of who was what.

Unfortunately the majority of those calling for "free speech" only want their speech to be free from scrutiny and compliance with what society considers to be fair and reasonable. The reason this society is as civil as it is today is due in no small part to those beliefs you so blithely dismiss. Putting up with this kind of garbage is not tolerance, it is submissive duplicity.

Michael Jones is right about one thing though, we (the majority) need to stand up and say no more to the churlish individuals that would do away with everyday courtesies and considerations that make society great.

Bruce Towers, Gwynneville.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home