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:

1. 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;
2. calls on the Indonesian President to commute all death sentences, including for the Bali bombers and members of the Bali Nine;
3. calls on the Indonesian government to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR aiming at the abolition of the death penalty; and,
4. 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

NSWCCL Background Paper: The Death Penalty in Australia and Overseas
29 March 2005
Prepared for: Federal Parliamentary Cross-Party Working Group Against the Death Penalty
Prepared by: Michael Walton, New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties

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