Law Council backs Australia’s global death penalty abolition drive

The Law Council of Australia is supporting the Australian government’s newly unveiled framework to abolish the death penalty around the world.

The “Strategy for the Abolition of the Death Penalty,” launched by Senator Marise Payne, Australia’s foreign minister, details practical steps that the country’s ministers, parliamentarians, and diplomatic missions can follow to end death penalty worldwide.

“Australia’s Strategy for Abolition of the Death Penalty sends a powerful message that Australia is committed to advocating for the abolition of the death penalty beyond our borders,” said Arthur Moses SC, Law Council president-elect.

He said it is paramount that Australia steps up its opposition to the death penalty as the country is faced with the prospect of the execution of some of its citizens abroad.

“This is particularly pressing in our own region where some of our neighbours and allies continue to shoot and hang people convicted of crimes,” he said. “Senator Payne is correct when she says the death penalty is an affront to human dignity. If you believe this, then it is your responsibility to advocate forcefully on a global level and this is exactly what Australia is doing.”

He said that international progress is being made, with Malaysia saying last week that it will end the practice.

“The Law Council will continue to strongly and consistently argue that no person, anywhere in the world, should ever be subjected to the death penalty. The death penalty is a breach of the most fundamental human right: the right to life,” he said. “We are extremely pleased that the Australian government is taking a strong position we can all be proud of.”