capital punishment Essay -- essays research papers

Australia Changes its Position on the Death PenaltyOn 16 February 2003 the Australian PM said in a Sunday morning video recording interview that the Bali bombers should be dealt with in accordance with Indonesian law. and if the death penalty is what the law of Indonesia provides, well, that is how things should proceed. There wont be any protest from Australia.1In archaeozoic March 2003 the PM told US television that he would welcome the death penalty for Osama Bin Laden. I think everybody would, Mr Howard said.2In response to these comments"Foreign attend Alexander Downer said Australia would not intervene if bin Laden was to be executed. I personsally have never supported the death penalty buit int he fictitious character of Osama bin Laden, I dont think that too many years would be shed if he was executed, bearing in mind all the people hes obligated for killing." 3 These comments mark a significant change in Australias attitude to the death penalty and a further we akening of Australias commitment to multinational human rights standards.Australias longstanding positionAustralia has traditionally taken a strong principled stand against capital punishment. In 1986 diplomatic relations with Malaysia were tug when Australia protested the execution of two Australians, Kevin Barlow and Brian Chambers. The then Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, went so far as to describe the death penalty as barbaric.In October 1990 Australia acceded to the Second Opt...