Money versus morality inevitability crops up in any discussion on capital punishment. Pretty useless, like all other reasons for and against, due to the fact that that capital punishment in Australia ceased around half a century ago and doesn't look like coming back despite cries for vengance by few people every time a murder is committed.

I think that a never-to-be-released sentence is more appropriate than quick death. And let's not forget that people who might have been executed have been found not guilty after spending years in jail.

Stop expecting society to help assuage your personal rage; particularly if you have no connection whatsoever to murder victims, which is usually the case.

ttbn,

<<This is not an issue for Australians.>>

Actually it is.

"In April 2005, nine Australians – the "Bali Nine" – were convicted for attempting to smuggle 8.3 kg (18 lb) of heroin out of Indonesia. The heroin was valued at around A$4 million and was bound for Australia.[2] Ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were sentenced to death and executed on 29 April 2015."

The Bali Nine: Where are they now? article tells you a lot about those still alive. This is an issue is relevant to Australia, including their parents in Australia - after all Australians were involved. Some people were lucky they were not executed, but still remain in prison. Some though are changing their lives for the better and want to be released.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-bali-nine-where-are-they-now_1

So yes this is relevant to Australia and by the way, I wouldn't want some of my relatives going on a holiday to China to see the attractions there, like the Great Wall of China but later find out they are going to be executed, after a decision was made by the Chinese Government.

Dear Dan,

Perhaps this little ditty might be more to your
level:

"I made myself a snowball
As perfect as could be
I thought I'd keep it as a pet
And let it sleep with me

I made it some pyjamas
And a pillow for its head
Then last night it ran away
But first - it wet the bed!"

Stay dry and out of the bushes.

Well, I do have some connection, a much respected cousin (a few removes away) was murdered in a robbery attempt on a Caribbean island. His murderer got 22 years and will possibly out in a few years, still young enough to marry and have a family or to murder again.
He took the productive life of a young father and husband; I’d have hung him.

Nathan,

It might be an issue for Australians or anyone else who goes to a foreign country and breaks the law thinking they can do whatever they do at home. But it's still nothing to do with Australia. None of our business. Nothing we can do about it. Don't worry about it.

And, as far as I'm aware, nobody has been executed for visiting the Great Wall of China. But, you know your rellies better than I do. Do they play up overseas?

Is Mise,

22 years is about right for murder in most jurisdictions. It all depends on the circumstances - crime of passion; heat of the moment; cold-blooded, intentional killing; killing a police officer; terrorism; child killing. In the last three cases, perpetrators should have no hope of parole: they should die in jail. But, capital punishment? That is demeaning to any society practising it, including the US, not just Third World countries.

I don't think you would have hanged your distant cousin's murderer. People who say that they favour execution expect someone else to do the job.

As Amnesty International has just put out:

Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan, since June 2020 has been locked up and endured months of torture including being shackled - all because she reported on COVID-19. She has now also gone on a hunger strike. She desperately needs medical treatment. Her brother says, “I don't think she's going to live much longer. If she doesn't make it through the coming winter, I hope the world will remember her as she once was.

So we have cases of people being treated appallingly and thrown into prison simply due to reporting about COVID-19 in China. It's really an all on nothing circumstance.