The Wire

The official Chinese execution figure for last year was 1000 deaths. But the lobby group Human Rights Watch believes the real figure is close to 10,000. If this figure is correct it means that China is responsible for 95% of executions worldwide. But are there signs of change afoot? Last year the Chinese Media reported on the cases of several people executed who were later found to be innocent. Now the government says it has recognized there is a problem, and this year has introduced reforms.