CCL Policy on the Death Penalty
CCL is
totally opposed to the death penalty under all circumstances,
in all countries.
On 23 January 2008, the CCL Committee passed the following resolution:
- Strongly condemning acts of international terrorism as a gross violation of human rights;
- Expressing its deepest sympathy and condolences to all the victims of terrorism;
- Acknowledging in particular the suffering of the victims of the terrorist attacks in Bali on 12 October 2002 and 1 October 2005;
- Recalling the UN Security Council's resolution [S/RES/1456 (20 January 2003)] reminding all countries to comply with their international obligations when combating terrorism;
- Noting that Australia's accession to the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR aiming at the abolition of the death penalty brings with it an international obligation not to expose anyone in any circumstances to the real risk of execution and an international commitment to abolish the death penalty;
- Noting the imminent execution in Indonesia of Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, Ali Ghufron and Imam Samudera for the 2002 Bali terrorist bombings which killed 202 people and injured 209 others;
- Recalling the resolution of the Annual General Meeting of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties (27 October 2004) affirming CCL's total opposition to capital punishment;
That the NSW Council for Civil Liberties:
- calls on the Australian government to call for clemency for everyone on death row in Indonesia, including the Bali bombers and members of the Bali Nine;
- calls on the Indonesian President to commute all death sentences, including for the Bali bombers and members of the Bali Nine;
- calls on the Indonesian government to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR aiming at the abolition of the death penalty; and,
- calls on the Australian government to encourage all nations to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.
Committee Meeting 23.1.2008
other policy resolutions
"The NSW CCL expresses grave concern
at recent comments by the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader
and other federal policiticans in support of the death
penalty. We reiterate our longstanding total opposition
to capital punishment. We call on all members of the Federal
Parliament to reaffirm their opposition to the death penalty
under all circumstances."
Annual General Meeting 27.10.2004
"The NSW CCL expresses grave concern
at the Capital Punishment Referendum Bill 1994.
We reiterate our stated policy of total opposition to capital
punishment and affirm that this Bill is in conflict with
Australia's obligations under the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights. Further, we oppose
the notion of a referendum to decide the issue, believing
that it is the business of Parliament to make laws. We
call on all members of the NSW Parliament to oppose this
legislation."
Annual General Meeting 26.10.1994
"That the CCL is totally opposed to the re-introduction
of capital punishment."
Committee Meeting 24.03.1993
"That the question of capital punishment is a matter
of civil liberties; that the Committee of the Council for
Civil Liberties is opposed to capital punishment."
Committee Meeting 13.12.1966
|
