Law Council of Australia launches its new improved policy against the death penalty to mark World Day Against the Death Penalty

To mark World Day Against the Death Penalty (10 October 2021), the Law Council of Australia has released its revised Policy Statement on the Death Penalty and reaffirmed its absolute opposition to the imposition or execution of the death penalty.

“No person – irrespective of their nationality, the nature of the crime, or the country in which they have allegedly committed a crime – should be subjected to the death penalty,” Law Council of Australia President, Dr Jacoba Brasch QC stated.

“We agree with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights who said earlier this year that ‘the death penalty undermines dignity and denies our most basic human right, the right to life’.

“The Law Council has reviewed its position on the death penalty in light of developments on these issues since its original policy of 2007, and our stance remains that it must be abolished in all countries across the globe.