We welcome the Australian Parliament’s decision to consider further ways Australia can work towards the global abolition of the death penalty.
Today the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade announced it will review how Australia engages internationally to promote abolition of the death penalty. The Committee will also consider what further steps Australia can take to advocate for worldwide abolition.
First steps encouraging
Amnesty International is part of a coalition of human rights organisations calling on Australia to take stronger action to end the death penalty globally. The coalition has made numerous practical policy recommendations.
Amnesty is very encouraged to see the Committee take the first steps to act on strengthening Australia’s policies against the death penalty.
Australia is part of a global movement of countries which have abolished the death penalty. But there is more Australia can do to end the death penalty in our region, through diplomacy, our aid program, and our federal law enforcement agencies.
Today’s announcement is a positive step in that direction. Amnesty looks forward to working with the bipartisan Australian Parliamentarians Against the Death Penalty Group – co-chaired by Philip Ruddock MP and Chris Hayes MP – which has been working to strengthen Australia’s policy against the death penalty.
To find out more, read Australian Government and the death penalty: a way forward.
Join our Human Rights Defenders program to help us abolish the death penalty.
Join our Human Rights Defenders program to help us abolish the death penalty.