Submission: Inquiry into Australia’s Efforts to Advocate for the Worldwide Abolition of the Death Penalty

17 September 2024

Amnesty International Australia has made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade regarding the inquiry into Australia's Efforts to Advocate for the Worldwide Abolition of the Death Penalty.

While the overwhelming majority of countries in the world have made the choice to abolish the death penalty in law or practice, abolitionist countries like Australia must remain vigilant and proactive in their advocacy. Australia must move beyond just crisis responses that attempt to deal with the impacts of death penalty impositions, and include a focus on dealing with the root causes of why the death penalty is being applied in the first place. They must also work to make sure that the abolitionist movement becomes truly global in leadership, with initiatives led by countries from all regions and socio-political backgrounds.

We want a world where human rights are no longer under fire. Governments and people in power everywhere must respect everyone's basic freedoms, and allow their citizens to live safely, without fear. When human rights are attacked, Amnesty will call on the human rights abusers to be tried and brought to justice. Learn more about what we do and our crisis response work.