China executed three convicted child sex offenders in one day, according to the Supreme People’s Court, in a rare and forceful application of the country’s harshest punishment for crimes against minors. The court said the cases involved girls under the age of 14 and described the penalties as part of China’s zero-tolerance stance on child sexual abuse.
The Supreme People’s Court said the executions were intended to send a clear warning to would-be offenders. “The sentencing and execution of the three criminals, all of whom were found to be rapists who targeted girls under the age of 14, have demonstrated China’s zero tolerance of child sex abuse and are expected to serve as a further deterrent for child sex offenders,” the court said in an official report carried by Xinhua.
According to Chinese court authorities, one of the men was a primary school teacher who raped six female students more than 100 times over several years, while another was convicted of sexually abusing eight girls through deceit or force. The court said the cases reflected particularly serious offenses against minors.
In a separate statement, Chinese judicial authorities said they maintain zero tolerance for sex crimes against children and warned that offenders who use the internet to rape, molest, or otherwise exploit minors may face harsher punishment under the law.
Chinese authorities said the executions were intended to demonstrate the country’s strict stance against child sexual abuse and to deter similar crimes. The Supreme People’s Court said crimes targeting children would continue to be punished severely in accordance with Chinese law.
