Death penalty law and discriminatory application

Question

1. What assessment has DFAT made of Israel's proposed expansion of the death penalty, particularly its application in a manner that would apply only to Palestinians? 2. Does the Government consider that a law applying the death penalty on a discriminatory basis raises concerns under international law, including prohibitions on racial discrimination and apartheid? 3. Beyond issuing a public statement, what concrete diplomatic or policy actions has the Foreign Minister taken in response to this proposed law? 4. Has Australia raised this issue bilaterally with Israeli counterparts, and if so, at what level and with what outcome? 5. Is the Government considering any consequences, including sanctions or other measures, should such a law be enacted? 6. How does the Government reconcile its strong global opposition to the death penalty with a more limited response in this instance? 7. Why has Australia's response to this proposed law not been as strong or as explicit as its responses to other countries imposing or expanding the death penalty? 8. Does the Government accept that credibility in opposing the death penalty globally depends on consistent application, including where close partners are concerned? 9. Does the Government accept that where Australia adopts a more limited response in comparable situations, this risks undermining the consistency and credibility of its human rights and death penalty advocacy?

Answer

Please see attached answer

Documents

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