Taiwan (the Republic of China) continues to make active use of the death penalty. According to unofficial sources there were at least 78 executions in 1990, 59 in 1991 and 35 in 1992. Prisoners awaiting confirmation of their sentence and executions are held in inhuman and degrading conditions with their feed permanently shackled. In 1992 Taiwan adopted legislation permitting execution by lethal injection, a practice which risks involving medical personnel in executions. In addition there are concerns at the continuing practice of using executed prisoners as a primary source of organs for transplants.
