On 6 June 2006, the Philippines Congress passed a law to abolish the death penalty. President Arroyo, a supporter of the Bill, is expected to sign it into law soon. CCL supports this move and calls on the Australian government to encourage other regional governments to follow Manila's example.
Australia has an important role to play as a regional human rights leader in encouraging our neighbours to abolish capital punishment. The Howard government should join with the Arroyo government to encourage other nations to follow Manila's example.
The Howard government should also encourage the Philippines to sign the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This would help to ensure that the death penalty could not be re-introduced.
The Philippines abolished the death penalty in 1987, but resumed executions in 1994.
UPDATE: President Arroyo signed the Bill into law on 24 June 2006
For more information see: CCL's death penalty webpages.
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