EU China Death Penalty Project

Promoting judicial discretion in the reduction and restriction of the application of the death penalty in China 2009-2012

In 2009, the Irish Centre for Human Rights became an institutional partner to a new project launched by the Great Britain China Centre with funding from the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights and the UK Strategic Programme Fund. The overall objective of the project is to reduce and restrict the use of the death penalty in China by promoting judicial discretion through the training of judges in local courts and the development of strict sentencing and evidence guidelines for trial procedures.

The specific objectives of this action are:

-          To improve the understanding of international human rights standards of judges in local courts who are dealing with death penalty cases.

-          To promote judicial discretion in the reduction and restriction of the application of the death penalty.

-          To develop consistent sentencing guidance and stricter evidence standards in trial procedures in cases where the death penalty is possible.

-          To accelerate the on-going effort of the Chinese government to reduce the use of the death penalty in China and contribute to criminal justice reform.

Since the project was launched in 2009, close to 200 judges have been trained in six provinces of China, in higher and intermediate courts. Evidence and sentencing guidelines have been drafted to restrict in particular the application of capital punishment in the case of drug-related crimes. These guidelines have been tested in Yunnan province.

The project concluded in June 2012.

For further information about the project, its aims and objective please consult the website of the Great Britain China Centre at: http://www.gbcc.org.uk/death-penalty-reform.aspx or contact annabel.egannuigalway.ie.

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