Parents at a gathering looking for their missing children in Zhengzhou, capital of Central China's Henan province on April 26, 2015. [Photo/CFP]

The punishments meted out to those who kidnap children provoked fierce online debate on Wednesday. Those in favor call for revision to the law so that child abductors receive the death penalty, a sentence which has been applied in a few human trafficking cases in the past. Comments:

In fact, the death penalty for non-violent crimes should have been abolished long ago, because the criminal law is not an almighty cure for crimes. Murders happened even in the days when "a life for a life" was adopted by all, as murderers tend to believe that they will get away with their crime. The Criminal Law does not need to be strengthened or weakened for this crime.

Gu Yongzhong, a professor of law at China University of Political Science and Law, June 18

In regards to the punishment for kidnappers, "could" and "should all" make a world of legal difference. The former abides by the principle of suiting the punishment to the crime, while the latter is likely to put abducted children in even greater danger, because it may lead desperate kidnappers to murder. It is good that people are concerned about the human trafficking in the country, but they should not slide into the bad habit of trying to influence justice to act outside the law.

China Central Television, June 18

For the parents of a kidnapped child, what they really want is their kid's safe return. Sentencing all captured kidnappers directly to death would leave would leave them very few choices if discovered. To reduce the number of child abductions, requires more than ruthless penalties, better social welfare and family planning policies are necessary as well.

cnhubei.com, June 18