FRANCE
EUROPEAN UNION
UNITED KINGDOM
11th World Day against the Death Penalty
Death has no appeal
10 October marks the 11th World Day against the Death Penalty.
Crime levels in Papua New Guinea are often described as unsustainably high and the
discussion about how to address the situation has a long history. In particular, the headlines
about atrocious crimes committed against women, including rape and sorcery related crimes,
have fuelled the debate this year. The PNG Government acted and has adopted a package of
measures to address the serious issues of violent crime. The European Union, the United
Kingdom, France and all other Member States of the Union are following the debate with great
interest.
The sorcery act is considered by many as having provided pretexts in the past to commit horrific
crimes and its recent repeal can only be seen as a very positive step. Equally, the increase of
penalties for certain crimes, including rape, have been welcomed.
However, for the EU, the most disturbing suggestion, discussed frequently as a measure to
curb crime, is the proposal to resume implementation of the death penalty. The death penalty
was last executed in Papua New Guinea in 1954. Since Papua New Guinea’s independence no
execution has taken place.
The debate about the death penalty in Papua New Guinea reminds us of similar debates some
time ago in Europe. From being the continent where the guillotine was invented and where
death sentences were common under the dictatorships of the first half of the 20th century to
today which sees Europe as the world’s largest death penalty free region. These days, the
campaign for the abolition of the death penalty is a key international position of the European
Union. Today as we mark World Day against the Death Penalty, Europe underlines its full
commitment to the campaign in favour of the universal abolition of the Death Penalty.
Europe is not alone with its views on capital punishment. All over the world the trend is going in
the same direction. Here in the Pacific only two countries still have the death penalty on their
books, and in both cases it has not been implemented for decades. And in 2012, PNG voted to
abstain on the debate to abolish the death penalty in the United Nations General Assembly.
The international trend to abolish the death penalty is based on a number of sound reasons.
The death penalty is widely seen as an inhuman and archaic way of punishment. More and
more countries believe that abolition contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the
progressive development of human rights; and many Faith based organisations see capital
punishment as violating fundamental principles.
Death is irreversible. Even the best judge or court in the world can and does commit errors.
Once executed, no worldly power can ever reverse the sentence when new evidence appears.
This has been highlighted with the introduction of DNA testing and in a significant number of
cases elsewhere, previously convicted murderers were found to be innocent.
In addition, it is arguable that the death penalty is an effective measure in curbing crime.
Scientific studies have consistently failed to demonstrate that executions deter people from
committing crime any more than long prison sentences. While the human impulse for revenge
may be understandable, we believe that it is for the State to rise above the immediate emotions
of humans shocked by the circumstances of a particular horrendous crime. There are no
grounds to believe that capital punishment would help curbing particular types of heinous crime.
Death has no appeal.
Here in Papua New Guinea, many observers have pointed to investing in the police force to
enable more effective law and order enforcement. This would certainly contribute in the short
term, in particular to fight street crime and increase security in public places. But from a more
long term perspective, crime has many underlying reasons. Tackling these may appear less
spectacular but we believe is the most effective way in the long term.
The PNG Government’s impressive initiatives to promote education, health, inclusive growth
and job creation will boost the economy and the wellbeing of Papua New Guineans. In addition,
these initiatives can be seen as essential building blocks for curbing crime in the medium to
long term. Young people, working hard in fulfilling jobs, able to build stable family relations, will
have less inclination to commit crime.
In Europe, education on violence starts at school. Teaching the citizens of tomorrow how to
resolve conflicts peacefully, how to respect other fellow citizens, in particular women, is
important for nation building, lasting peace and security throughout the country.
The recent negative headlines in the international press clearly do not do justice to Papua New
Guinea and its overwhelming majority of friendly, law abiding citizens. The European Union, the
United Kingdom and France in Papua New Guinea will continue to support the PNG
Government’s efforts to lay the foundations for long term peaceful, sustainable and inclusive
growth; whether through our bilateral trade agreement and the many jobs it creates in the
country, through our efforts to promote investment, or through our aid to develop agriculture and
education. But we will also continue to lobby against the death penalty.
Pascal Maubert
Ambassador
Republic of France
Martin Dihm
Ambassador
Head of Delegation
European Union
Jackie Barson
High Commissioner
United Kingdom