China Executes a Briton by Lethal Injection

A British citizen, Akmal Shaikh, an alleged drug smuggler has been put to death by lethal injection after a trial that lasted just thirty minutes. This is the first time in over fifty years that the Chinese Government has condemned a foreigner to death.

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in a statement, "I am appalled and disappointed that our persistent requests for clemency have not been granted by the Chinese Government."

Shaikh's family members claim that Akmal was mentally ill and unable to understand his actions and that he was duped into carrying a suitcase full of heroin into the country.

While I won't get into my thoughts on execution or drug smugglers, I do think that we are witnessing a serious turn of events here with China's decision to forego the constant pleas from the British government. A noted political scientist and Canada's leading expert on China at Brock University, Charles Burton, "They won't be giving foreign passport holders any special consideration."

That comment from Mr. Burton brought a flood of memories from my past life. I was an American living in Germany and frequently crossing over the Border between the East and West in Berlin. I remember the day that my "papers" were not in order. Someone in our military command had typed "Michelle" instead of "Michele" (with one "l"). I was detained at the Border for over two hours and it was a horrifying time. Soviet guards sneered at me while I waited for the U.S. military to come to my emotional rescue as I quickly realized that the military had little use for military spouses - I was at the end of their to-do list.

My ending was far better than Shaikh. The Chinese tolerance is very thin for convicted drug smugglers - especially foreign ones. Gone are the days of the 19th and early 20th century when China buckled under foreign pressures. Perhaps China is realizing a confident surge as it begins to make it's mark on the world. Or maybe just maybe, this was a strong warning to everyone that they will not tolerate drug smuggling.

The European Union backed the Brits in their condemnation of this execution while the U.S. had no immediate reaction. I wonder when and what our President will have to say. I would offer the following advice to one and all: these are troubling times (even if you are not a smuggler) and you have to be careful when traveling to foreign countries. Remember to tread carefully, it's a dangerous world.