[Deathpenalty]death penalty news-----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

June 25


VIETNAM:

Vietnam examining alternatives to death by firing squad


Vietnam's justice ministry is proposing legislation to introduce lethal
injections as an alternative method of carrying out death sentences.

At the moment, people sentenced to death in Vietnam are executed by firing
squads.

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has requested a study into other execution
methods, to eliminate human error.

The AFP newsagency reports nervous members of firing squads sometimes miss
their targets.

Every year, more than 100 death sentences are handed out in Vietnam, up to
80 % of them for drug offences or murders.

(source: Radio Australia News)