The Australian Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances for all people.
Today I launched Australia’s Strategy for Abolition of the Death Penalty with parliamentary colleagues, members of the diplomatic corps and civil society advocates in Canberra. The Strategy outlines practical steps that ministers, parliamentarians and Australia’s network of embassies and missions can take to advance the goal of global abolition.
We consider the death penalty to be deeply flawed and an affront to human dignity. There is no conclusive evidence that the death penalty deters crime. It is irrevocable and degrading.
Australia is a global leader in the fight against the death penalty, including through our term on the United Nations Human Rights Council. As long as people face execution by a government, we will pursue abolition of the death penalty.
The launch of Australia’s Strategy coincides with World Day Against the Death Penalty, which was commemorated by our network of overseas posts on 10 October.
At the United Nations Leaders’ Week in New York, I also announced that Australia has joined more than 60 states in becoming a member of the Global Alliance for Torture-Free Trade. The Alliance’s objective is to end the trade in goods used for capital punishment and torture.
Australia’s Strategy for Abolition of the Death Penalty is available online: https://dfat.gov.au/international-relations/themes/human-rights/Pages/australias-strategy-for-abolition-of-the-death-penalty.aspx
