Input for SG report on question of the death penalty. March 2022. The Rights Practice submits this response to the UN Secretary-General’s report on the question of the death penalty, to be presented at the fifty-first session of the Human Rights Council in September 2022. This submission focuses on China, and developments since 1 July 2020 regarding the question of the death penalty and the implementation of the safeguards guaranteeing the protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty, in particular persons under 18 years of age at the time of the offence, pregnant women and persons with mental or intellectual disabilities, and the human rights of children of parents sentenced to the death penalty or executed. The Rights Practice works to promote human rights (as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent UN conventions and declarations). Our mission is to build the capacity of those working for human rights. We have built a programme of work that addresses three strategic themes within China: access to justice, human rights and criminal justice, and public participation. For many years we have engaged with Chinese lawyers, legal scholars and NGO workers to help prevent the use of torture, reduce the application of the death penalty and support civil society. This submission is informed by stakeholder consultations and review of Chinese law and recent cases. We are a UK registered human rights charity (England and Wales 1133616). The Rights Practice The Foundry 17 Oval Way London SE11 5RR www.rights-practice.org 1