Date: April 5, 2026 l Reporter: Musa Amed
China has executed a French national convicted of drug trafficking, prompting strong reactions from the French government, which expressed “consternation” over the development and renewed calls against the death penalty.
According to reports, the executed individual, Chan Thao Phoumy, a 62-year-old French citizen born in Laos, had been sentenced to death in 2010 for drug-related offenses. The execution was carried out in Guangzhou, southern China, despite diplomatic efforts by France to secure clemency on humanitarian grounds.
France’s foreign ministry confirmed the execution on April 5, 2026, stating that authorities had made repeated attempts to intervene, including seeking a pardon for the convicted man. However, these efforts were unsuccessful.
In its response, the French government reiterated its firm opposition to capital punishment, declaring that it rejects the death penalty “everywhere and in all circumstances” and continues to advocate for its global abolition.
The ministry also raised concerns over due process, noting that the man’s legal team was reportedly denied access to his final court hearing, an issue that has sparked further criticism regarding the handling of the case.
China maintains strict laws on drug trafficking, with severe penalties that can include the death sentence for serious offenses. The case underscores ongoing differences between China and many Western nations on the use of capital punishment.
The execution is expected to heighten diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Paris, particularly as European countries continue to push for international reforms on human rights and judicial practices.
As global debates over the death penalty persist, the incident has once again drawn attention to contrasting legal systems and the challenges of reconciling international human rights standards with national laws.