Death sentences are often pronounced in public and...

Death sentences are often pronounced in public and the condemned prisoner is presented to the crowd and forced to bow his head and wear a sign with the name of his crime written on it around his neck. Defendants are often denied legal assistance, and when it is granted the lawyers have only a day or two to prepare their defense. Moreover, death sentences are often decided before the trial by a judging committee. After confirmation of a death sentence, the defendant has from 3 to 10 days to appeal. If no appeal is presented, the sentence is automatically referred to the Supreme People's Court which takes a decision within 6 weeks. Appeals are rarely successful. Of particular concern is the fairly common practice of harvesting organs from executed prisoners without their permission. Reportedly, death sentences have been carried out because organs were requested for transplants.