Death penalty an affront to our humanity
Katie Wood
October 10, 2008
TODAY, in Vietnam, Tang Thi Ba, a 52-year-old former post office
treasurer, is facing the death penalty. She was sentenced to death in
May on charges of embezzlement. It is likely she will be executed by
a five-person firing squad, possibly in public. Her family will not
be informed beforehand.
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all circumstances
and works for its abolition in all countries, in all cases.
The Australian Government has a policy of opposition to the death
penalty. However, it intervenes on behalf of some individuals who
face the death penalty but not others.
As the final legal manoeuvres play out for the Bali bombers in
Indonesia, recent comments by the Prime Minister and the Attorney-
General have again plunged Australia's position on the death penalty
into ambiguity.
How can the death penalty represent "justice" in some cases but a
violation of international human rights norms in others?
By being selective in its calls for clemency, the Government is
promoting a two-tiered policy on capital punishment and undermining
Australia's standing on the issue.
The Federal Government should take a principled and consistent stance
against the death penalty.
Capital punishment is inconsistent with the right to life. There is
no evidence that it is any more effective in reducing crime than
other harsh punishments.
It is irrevocable. Coupled with a criminal justice system that is not
immune from error and prejudice, the risk of executing an innocent
person is ever present.
It is discriminatory. The poor and members of racial, ethnic and
religious minorities are disproportionately subject to it.
It can be imposed and carried out arbitrarily. In some countries, it
is used as a tool of repression.
Whatever form it takes — electrocution, hanging, gassing, beheading,
stoning, shooting or lethal injection — it is the ultimate cruel,
inhumane and degrading punishment. And it is a punishment that has no
place in today's world.
Yet it persists.
Last year, at least 1252 people were executed in 24 countries. At
least 3347 people were sentenced to death in 51 countries in the same
year. Up to 27,500 people are estimated to be held on death row
across the world.
Many more people could have been executed in secret. The taking of a
human life by the state is one of the most powerful acts a government
can commit. As many countries have illustrated, the journey to
abolition of the death penalty is fuelled by debate. When the
authorities in states that kill suppress this discussion and starve
the public of information, they deny the population the right to
informed debate. But the severity of executions demands that they be
subject to public focus and discussion — not choked by a conspiracy
of silence.
Every year on October 10, national and international institutions,
organisations and individuals rally together to oppose the death
penalty, wherever it happens, whoever is convicted and whatever the
crime. This year, the world day against the death penalty is focused
on Asia where, despite the worldwide trend towards abolition, 14
countries continue to carry out executions.
Each year in Asia an alarming number of people are executed, often
following torture or unfair trials. Record numbers are being
sentenced to death for drug-related offences.
China executes more people than any other country, yet there are
serious flaws at every level of its justice system.
In countries such as Taiwan, Japan and South Korea there is growing
pressure to abolish the death penalty. Even in Singapore and China
there have been discussions about abolition, and the Chinese
Government is now automatically reviewing in the Supreme Court all
death penalty sentences.
Last December, the UN General Assembly endorsed a resolution calling
for "a moratorium on executions" by an overwhelming majority — 104
votes in favour, 54 against and 29 abstentions.
Australia voted in favour of universal abolition. The adoption of the
resolution with such a clear majority shows the global abolition of
the death penalty is possible.
The taking of life by the state is an affront to human dignity. We
urge all governments to follow the commitments made at the UN and
abolish the death penalty once and for all.
Katie Wood is campaign co-ordinator for Amnesty International Australia.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/death-penalty-an-affront-to-our- humanity-20081009-4xit.html?page=-1
