World Day Against the Death Penalty

The AustralianGovernment reaffirms its opposition to capital punishment on World Day Againstthe Death Penalty.

I call on allcountries which retain the death penalty to reject this most cruel form ofpunishment.

Australia hastaken the fight against the death penalty to the world. Advocacy forglobal abolition of capital punishment is a core feature of Australia's humanrights policy. It will be a priority for our term on the Human RightsCouncil in 2018-20, should we be successful at the vote in a few days' time.

This year marks50 years since Australia's last execution. The hanging of Ronald Ryan in1967 sparked nationwide protests which eventually led to its abolition.

Thedeath penalty does notmake communities safer, it disproportionately affects disadvantaged members ofsociety. It has no place in the modern world.

Australiaopposes the death penalty, at home and abroad.