CHINA: A centre for execution by lethal injection is to be established in China as part of a new policy to phase out the use of the firing squad in capital punishment cases.
Plans to build the injection centre in Beijing comes as courts across China are being urged to switch to the chemical method of execution as soon as possible.
According to reports in official Chinese media, the authorities now hold the view that lethal injection would be a "more humane and scientific way" to end a prisoner's life. While exact figures are not known as they are not published by the authorities, it is believed thousands of Chinese are executed every year.
The injection rooms will be in start contrast to execution grounds where criminals sentenced to death currently meet their end, by firing squad or with a gun to the back of the head.
The Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences is due to finish research on different types of injections for use in capital punishment cases in weeks.
The Beijing Supreme People's Court said yesterday it was actively looking for a site to build an execution centre where prisoners sentenced to death will receive deadly chemicals to end their lives.
An official said yesterday a lethal injection is a more civilised way of execution and that details are now being planned and prepared to make it widespread.
Draft regulations governing the use of legal injections have been submitted to the Supreme People's Court for deliberation.
Recently the vice-president of the court, Mr Liu Jiachen, called on courts in all provincial capitals to use lethal injection in capital punishment cases as soon as possible.
Lethal injection were first made legal in China in January 1997 and since then they have been used in Kunming China's south-west Yunnan province on a trial basis.
Prof Qu Xinjiu, a criminal-law expert from the China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing said that the lethal injection is now being promoted as a more humane option for execution.
He also said it is less costly as shooting involves a large number of officials, medical personnel, and soldiers to get the prisoners to the execution ground, usually an open field in the countryside.