“The abolition of the death penalty in Australia has been an important milestone for human rights in this country,” said Tony Rossi, president of the SA Law Society.

“As more Australians travel regularly overseas, including to countries where the death penalty remains, Australia must continue to push for the abolition of the death penalty globally. No country should consider itself as having the right to take a human life as a sentencing option.”

Research from the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty shows that 104 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, and an additional seven have abolished the death penalty for all crimes except extraordinary crimes (such as those committed in times of war).

However, Mr Rossi explained that the death penalty is still used as a form of punishment in 57 countries and territories. In some countries the death penalty continues to exist as sentencing option in respect of juvenile offenders, he noted.

In addition, Mr Rossi said the death penalty continues to feature as a sentencing option for countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Unfortunately, Australians only too well know of the continued use of the death penalty in the Asia-Pacific. Most Australians would be familiar with the deaths of several Australian citizens, caught up in the legal systems of our neighbours while travelling abroad. These tragic examples have made Australians well aware that the death penalty robs people of the opportunity to rehabilitate, reform, and contribute to society,” he said.

“The death penalty is an affront to human worth and dignity. It’s absolute, and offers no opportunity for rehabilitation. As such, its continued use inflicts universal injustice, and therefore demands Australia’s response.

“We call on the Australian government to make the global abolition of the death penalty a focal point of Australian foreign policy.”