I am a physician and I am always appalled at seeing executions wherever they are. I am particularly distressed at the killing of Akmal Shaikh by lethal injection today.
My first concern is that I knew nothing about this case. The British Government was only informed 2 years ago and despite multiple high level attempts to ask for clemency, the Chinese government arrogantly ignored them and proceeded with this execution. Yet, the press has been silent enough for this to be below the radar - I read the BBC News most days.
Second, he was mentally ill with bipolar affective disorder. The Chinese government's Supreme Court deliberations apparently didn't even mention this. His family and 3 children in the UK disclosed he was severely mentally ill and delusional. Apparently, the heroin smuggling gang played into his delusions in persuading him to carry 3 Kg of diacetyl morphine. One report I read stated he had been homeless for a while. This shows one breach in human rights ontop of another.
Third, he was Islamic. I wonder if ethnicity played into this. I don't know enough about China's judicial record on racism to determine if this was a factor.
Fourth, this was a drug related offense. Yes, as a physician I deplore addiction and the havoc it plays in human affairs. I have admitted many patients for detox. I have dealt with drug-related AIDS, Hepatitis, Infective Endocarditis, dysfunctional families.... However, State sanctioned executions of drug smugglers is appalling. I am anti-death penalty as it is. However, this is truly a slippery slope towards execution for "economic crimes". There are those who would like to return to the days of execution for stealing a sheep, for those I would have plead - how about "transportation" for this sad and delude individual. Back to the UK where he would have received justice.
Fifth, I am a member of Physicians for Human Rights. I remember too well one of the reasons I joined this organization in the first place was the execution of prisoners for transplantation organs for sale in the PRC. This was treated like a slur by the Chinese government. However, it is well documented. I worry that the Chinese government is not being honest about its record of state sanctioned murder. For us to feel happy when we purchase our cheap consumer goods at Walmart we need to be assured that there is transparency for the criminal justice system and the death penalty in particular in the countries we trade with. I am not suggesting a boycott, but I think we should use our trade clout to force the Chinese and other favored trading partners to allow us to look at their execution books so we can see if we can stomach paying money to support these regimes. Surely this is consumer choice.
I am late in going for my ward round to my local hospital because of writing this diary. My patients will have to wait, but I hope this diary will help the process to save the lives of those on death row in China and across the world. As a physician, that is truly my role. I deplore seeing the tools of my trade (intravenous injection and medications) being perverted and used to harm and not to heal.