Beijing defends execution of corrupt officials

[Alpha]

An old article but nonetheless still relevant in as far as the similarities to the situation within our country.

The Chinese don't mess around, no excuses. But is this too harsh, is execution too far? What would happen if officials convicted of grand corruption were executed (how would you even define "grand" corruption as opposed to just corruption, is it the amount of money involved, if so how much makes it grand...), do you think it would reduce it or even put an end to it?

Beijing defends execution of corrupt officials

Reuters
Published: August 2, 2007

BEIJING: Execution for corruption is proportionate and accords with "China's national condition," a senior official said Thursday, as a disgraced former party chief from Shanghai, now confirmed to be behind bars, awaits trial.

The ruling Communist Party has vowed to root out corrupt officials before a key congress later this year to ensure that tainted members cannot rise any further. It has warned that the problem is so severe it may threaten the party's rule.

Last month, the former head of the Chinese food and drug safety watchdog, Zheng Xiaoyu, was put to death for corruption amid a series of health scares concerning Chinese products.

"As for the death penalty, different countries have different situations and different cultural backgrounds," Gan Yisheng, head of the party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said at a news conference.

"We still execute people who have committed serious economic crimes on consideration of China's national condition and cultural background. I don't think we can be criticized for this," Gan said.

China does not publish execution figures, but human rights groups estimate that they number from about 5,000 to 12,000 annually.

Corruption has become rampant since market reforms opened the economy in the 1980s. Chen Liangyu was toppled from his post as the head of the Communist Party in Shanghai last September after an official investigation into the misuse of money in the city's social security fund.

Last week, he was formally expelled from the party and handed over to the judicial authorities.

Gan did not say when Chen would be tried, indicating only that he was in detention and in good health.

"It's up to the legal authorities to decide when he will be brought to trial," he said. "According to the law, it does not matter who you are, once you've been handed over to the law, you'll be held in detention. Chen Liangyu is of course not immune."

Chen was the first member of the party's elite Politburo to be purged for corruption since 1995. A dozen other officials and businessmen have since been implicated by the inquiry.

Gan defended the Chinese system where members are investigated by the party internally and may be punished by it with little or even no consultation with the legal authorities.

"To say China has two types of laws is biased, and is a distorted understanding of Chinese law," he said.

Beijing defends execution of corrupt officials - International Herald Tribune

 

[wajinga]

Tanzania can learn from china.