Thursday, 31 December 2009

Imagine This

Chinese national commits murder in London.
Chinese Government believe that under Chinese Law he would have a defence.
No defence under English Law. Convicted. Recieves life sentence.
Chinese Govt asks UK Government to pardon Chinese convict.
UK Govt refuses - 'no one interferes in British Justice'.

The death penalty is prohibited by the European Convention on Human Rights -but I don't think we ever persuaded China to sign that or any other international instrument banning the death penalty.

Isn't that what we should be doing - persuading them to enter into a international human rights obligation rather than interfering in the domestic legal system of a fellow sovereign state?


1 comment:

  1. Persuading in one thing. Getting them to act is another. I don't know how many agrrements China has with with any other country, but I wouldn't be surprised if the number was zilch.

    Considering the way they have the west over a barrel regarding cheap goods, can anyone see that changing?

    Politicians don't run countries, they do what those with money and power tell them.

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