Judicial killing is barbaric

Commenting on China's judicial execution on 29 December 2009 of a man with bipolar disorder, Simon Barrow, co-director of the religion and society think-tank Ekklesia, said:

"The cruel execution of a man with obvious mental health problems shows once again that capital punishment is barbaric and an affront to human dignity. It has nothing to do with justice. The tragic case of Akmal Shaikh should encourage the redoubling of efforts by civil society organisations, faith groups and diplomats to press those countries that continue to implement the death penalty - including China, Iran and the United States - to end their judicial killing. A further international round-table on the issue is also overdue."