The Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) has tabled its report titled Inquiry into Australia’s efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 17 December 2024

The Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) has tabled its report titled Inquiry into Australia’s efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty. The Chair of the Subcommittee, Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP, stated, “Most stakeholders to the inquiry noted that progress has been made globally towards the abolition of the death penalty.” “However, in the current challenging geopolitical conditions, there are signs that specific groups are more likely to face the threat of the death penalty. We also heard there is a risk for States to backslide. Progress cannot, therefore, be taken for granted, and Australia has a critical role to play in advocating in a clear and consistent manner for the abolition of the death penalty—especially within our own region,” said Ms Vamvakinou. This report makes 7 recommendations aimed at Australia’s efforts in advocating for the abolition of the death penalty, including: the development of strategies to advocate for the abolition of the death penalty for drug related crimes; the development of a statement against the death penalty to be delivered annually; continued advocacy, including in partnership with like-minded abolitionist countries in the Asia-Pacific region; the development of a domestic education and awareness strategy; and provision of adequate funding for Civil Society Organisations to gather data on trends and current areas of concern. The report is now available on the JSCFADT website. Media inquiries Office of Maria Vamvakinou MP (Member for Calwell; Chair, Human Rights Subcommittee) Ph: 0477 963 459; Email: Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au. For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website.

On 11 October 2024, the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, will conduct its second public hearing for its inquiry into Australia’s efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.

Media release issue date: Friday, 11 October 2024

On 11 October 2024, the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, will conduct its second public hearing for its inquiry into Australia’s efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty. The Subcommittee will today hear evidence from international human rights organisations, civil society groups and not-for-profit organisations. Chair of the Subcommittee, Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP, stated that, “the Subcommittee looks forward to hearing from groups working in countries that retain the death penalty or with experience working with people who have fled countries where the death penalty is imposed.”    “This frontline knowledge will help the Subcommittee better identify the challenges and the opportunities for Australia in continuing to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty. We also look forward to hearing what more the Australian Government can do to support their work and to further aid the global push for abolition.” Further information about the Committee’s inquiry is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Office of Maria Vamvakinou MP (Member for Calwell; Chair, Human Rights Subcommittee) Ph: 0477 963 459 Email: Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat Ph: 02 6277 2313 Email: jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

On 13 September 2024, the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, will conduct its first public hearing for its inquiry into Australia's efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.

Media release issue date: Friday, 13 September 2024

On 13 September 2024, the Human Rights Subcommittee of the  Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, will conduct its first public hearing for its inquiry into Australia's efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty. The half day public hearing will hear from representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Attorney-General’s Department, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Human Rights Commission. Chair of the Subcommittee, Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP, stated that, “this first public hearing will allow us to look at the advocacy role of the Australian Government, gain an overview of Australia’s efforts to date in advocating for the abolition of the death penalty, and examine any progress made against past recommendations on the issue.” “Australia is a vocal opponent of the death penalty and while there has been a trend over time towards abolition globally, there are still countries, including some of Australia’s closest partners, who currently impose and carry out the death penalty. Continued advocacy is important and nuanced, and looking into Australia’s efforts is critical to understanding what we are doing and what we need to do to be impactful.” Further information about the Committee’s inquiry is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Office of Maria Vamvakinou MP (Member for Calwell; Chair, Human Rights Subcommittee) Ph: 0477 963 459 Email: Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat Ph: 02 6277 2313 Email: jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, through the Human Rights Subcommittee (the Subcommittee), has commenced an inquiry into Australia's efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 3 July 2024

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, through the Human Rights Subcommittee (the Subcommittee), has commenced an inquiry into Australia's efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty. The inquiry was referred by the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Hon Penny Wong on 27 June 2024 with the following Terms of Reference. The Chair of the Subcommittee, Ms Maria Vamvakinou, commented, “there is no place for the death penalty in the modern world. State executions are cruel and are often associated with miscarriages of justice; all too often, innocent people are put to death and around the world, minorities and those with disabilities are disproportionately sentenced to death.” The Subcommittee will look also into progress against the recommendations in the 2017 Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade report: A world without the death penalty: Australia's Advocacy for the Abolition of the Death Penalty. Submissions from interested individuals and organisations addressing the terms of reference for this inquiry are invited by 2 August 2024. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account. Further information about the Committee’s inquiry is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Office of Maria Vamvakinou MP (Member for Calwell; Chair, Human Rights Subcommittee) Ph: 0477 963 459; Email: Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au. For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.