THE HON PHILIP RUDDOCK MP, MEMBER FOR BEROWRA

MR CHRIS HAYES MP, MEMBER FOR FOWLER

JOINT PRESS RELEASE: AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY

3 March 2015

The co-chairs of the Australian Parliamentarians against the Death Penalty group, The Hon. Philip Ruddock MP and Mr. Chris Hayes MP have received advice that the President of the Senate, the Hon. Stephen Parry and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Bronwyn Bishop MP have formally approved the reforming of the group for the 44th Parliament.

Recent events involving two Australians on death row in Indonesia has put the issue of the death penalty at the front of mind for many Australians. The re-forming of this group is in response to a number of politicians who feel Australia has a role to play in ending the death penalty internationally.

“I have fought against the death penalty, as a matter of principle, for the entirety of my Parliamentary career.

“This is still something I feel passionately about and will continue to raise among colleagues at home and abroad. Australia must take a firm stance against this barbaric practice”, Mr. Ruddock said.

Mr. Hayes holds equally strong views against capital punishment.

“I oppose the death penalty wherever it occurs. To me, capital punishment is the most cruel and inhuman response to crime. It represents a violation of the most basic of all human rights; and that is life itself.

“My opposition to capital punishment, including advocacy for its abolition, is universal and not only when it involves Australians”, Mr. Hayes said.

So far 36 Federal Parliamentarians from across the Parliament have sought membership of this group.

The group will be meeting with legal experts, foreign dignitaries, foreign parliamentarians and human rights groups to discuss the role Australia can play in advocating against the death penalty.