China, known for its extensive use of various execution methods, including firing squads and lethal injections, has a shocking addition to this list – execution vans. These mobile death vans contribute to the country’s status as the world leader in state-sanctioned executions.
China’s criminal law is notorious for its severity, with the death penalty applicable to offences ranging from drug trafficking to corruption. The 1997 Penal Code lists 46 crimes punishable by death, creating what Amnesty International refers to as a ‘conveyor belt of executions.’
In a recent high-profile case, a couple, Zhang Bo and Ye Chengchen, were executed for throwing their two children off a 15th-floor building. The gruesome act, fuelled by an affair and a desire to eliminate “obstacles,” sparked national outrage. Similarly, a son, Wu Xieyu, faced execution for bludgeoning his mother to death with a dumbbell.
While these cases gained public attention, China’s secretive approach to death penalty data remains unchanged. The Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty notes a reduction in the number of crimes punishable by death but highlights a stable rate of executions, often unpublicised.
Among the grim revelations is the use of “execution vans” – converted 24-seat buses with concealed execution chambers. These vans allow state-sanctioned killings without the need for transportation to an execution ground. The method draws chilling comparisons to historical models used during the Holocaust.
China defends these vans as cost-effective and efficient, eliminating the need for traditional execution facilities. Reports suggest a syringe-administered lethal injection inside the van, with a bed sliding out for the condemned criminal.
Despite the reduction in executions, concerns persist, especially regarding the secretive nature of the death penalty process. China’s justice system, with a 99.9 percent conviction rate, has faced criticism for favouring prosecutors.
The death penalty issue in China extends beyond execution methods, involving organ harvesting practices. Execution vans reportedly play a significant role in the organ trade, meeting high demand. Activists argue that swift cremation makes it difficult for families to determine if their executed relatives’ organs were removed.
Amnesty International’s figures reveal China as the most prolific executing country globally, with over 1,000 executions estimated in 2022. Excluding China, recorded executions worldwide saw a substantial increase, emphasising the scale and severity of China’s capital punishment system.
