These prisoners are held back with ropes around their necks before they are executed in China. Why?

Question

I'm doing something for school called 'the China Debate.'

I know that China uses firing squads and possibly sometimes the gallows for executions, however I found a few pictures that really stump me. They are seen at these links...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5386720.stm

http://www.amnesty.ca/take_action/actions/china_death_penalty.php

What is the deal with the rope around the necks? These prisoners are about to be executed. However, why are they being held back with ropes around their necks?

Thanks

-Tim

Answer 1

That looks more like a control mechanism than a noose - people get very co-operative when a rope is around their necks and can be tightened with a twist of a wrist.

Execution in China is usually done by a bullet to the base of the brain.