(Thumbnail image: Reprieve)
It’s a diplomatic war of words between the United Kingdom and China in the aftermath of a controversial execution.
UK national Akmal Shaikh died by lethal execution Tuesday in Western China.
This despite repeated calls for clemency from London alleging Shaikh was mentally ill.
Shaikh was arrested in 2007 and convicted of smuggling more than 4,000 kilograms of heroine into China.
Before his execution, Shaikh’s family said the 53-year-old father of two suffered from bipolar disorder, and had gone to China in the hopes of becoming a pop star.
Asian Correspondent.com reports human rights groups like Amnesty International are strongly condemning China’s decision.
“This clearly demonstrates the Chinese government is not concerned about international opinion and is really not interested in applying the rule of law or its international human rights obligations. I fear that this is a demonstration of a trend that things are actually going downhill in terms of human rights in China."
In China, drug smuggling is a capital offense—but Shaikh’s execution is China’s first of a European citizen in more than 50 years.
Sky News and Euronews bring us opposing reactions.
(SKY NEWS) “I’m disgusted with the Chinese government. I’m having trouble believing that they could make such a stupid mistake.”
(EURONEWS) “I think they’re meddling with China’s judicial independence. Every country has its own laws. He broke the law in China, and he ought to have been punished.”
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he is “appalled and disappointed” at Shaikh’s execution, but China says there wasn’t sufficient evidence Shaikh suffered a legitimate mental illness.
China’s CCTV brings us the perspective of a Chinese criminal rights professor.
"According to China's Criminal Law, the death sentence given to him is legitimate and it has nothing to do with human rights concerns… Some Western countries also retain capital punishment, and its existence does not equate to a lack of human rights.”
Canada’s CBC notes the political implications going forward.
“This affair is no doubt straining diplomatic relations between China and the UK. (FLASH) Still, already the foreign office here vows there will be no knee-jerk diplomatic repercussions, but there are reports the Chinese ambassador here in London has been summoned to the foreign office."
Do you think Shaikh should have been executed? Is Western outcry over Shaikh’s execution justified, or does it show disrespect for China’s judicial system?
Writer: Christina Hartman
