Tuesday 10 October 2006

World Day call for Australian leadership

Amnesty International Australia (AIA) said the World Day Against the Death Penalty would "turn the spotlight on the leadership role the Australian Government should play against the death penalty in the region"

With six members of the 'Bali 9' now facing the death penalty in Indonesia, and the execution of Australian citizen Van Tuong Nguyen in December 2005, the organisation restated its call for the Australian government to address the mixed messages it has been sending about the death penalty.

"The Australian Government must take a consistent and principled stance against the death penalty in all cases and regardless of the nationality of the people facing execution," AIA said in a statement.

"If Australia is to restore its credibility when it argues for its own citizens to be spared, it must be clear about its absolute opposition to the death penalty," it said.

Related stories:
UN: Australia should tackle drugs penalty – 29 September, 2006
Australia's double standards under pressure – 13 September, 2006
Call to action on 10 October -- 04 September, 2006

No comments: