CHINA MULLS DEATH PENALTY FOR ORGAN TRAFFICKERS

February 24, 2011: people convicted of organ trafficking in China may receive the death penalty under a draft law amendment being reviewed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, official media reported. The amendment says criminals convicted of 'forced organ removal, forced organ donation or organ removal from juveniles' will face the same punishment as that for homicide, according to a report by the China Daily newspaper.
Under Chinese law, a person found guilty of homicide faces either a death sentence or at least 10 years in prison.
Previously, criminals convicted of forced organ removal were sentenced for illegal business operation, since there was no specific offence covering the act under criminal law, the report said.
If the draft law amendment is passed at the bimonthly meeting of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, which lasts until February 25, the law will come into force on May 1. (Sources: DPA, AFP, 24/02/2011)