Few perpetrators are punished and superior officers, prosecutors, judges and other officials often cover up or ignore allegations. More people are executed each year in China than in the rest of the world put together. In 1998 Amnesty International recorded 2,700 death sentences and 1,769 confirmed executions. These statistics are believed to fall far short of the real figures as only a fraction of death sentences and executions are publicly reported. The death penalty is used extensively, arbitrarily and frequently as a result of political interference.
Execution is by shooting or lethal injection.
There are often mass executions before major events or public holidays. The law permits execution for more than 60 crimes, including non-violent offences such as fraud, forgery and drug related offences. Death sentences are often imposed following summary trial proceedings. Appeals are rarely successful. In Xinjiang thousands of Uighur political prisoners are imprisoned.