Mark Allison

We welcome moves towards reforms such as these, but it remains to be seen whether they will lead to better read more

We welcome moves towards reforms such as these, but it remains to be seen whether they will lead to better quality trials and a significant reduction in the number of people sentenced to death. Whatever their impact, they must not be seen as a substitute for more wide-ranging reforms aimed at the complete abolition of the death penalty in China.

We recognize the duty of governments to combat crime, but this is a knee-jerk response -- it shows that China's read more

We recognize the duty of governments to combat crime, but this is a knee-jerk response -- it shows that China's 'Strike Hard' crime campaign mentality is still prevalent, at least in some parts of the country. There is no evidence that the death penalty deters crime more effectively than other punishments.