Texas accounts for half of executions in US but now has doubts over death row – The Guardian
Overturned convictions and growth of DNA forensic evidence shake state’s rock-solid faith in capital punishment
Chris McGreal in Livingston
Sunday 15 November 2009 22.00 GMT
Even in Texas they are having their doubts. The state that executes more people than any other by far – it will account for half the prisoners sent to the death chamber in the US this year – is seeing its once rock-solid faith in capital punishment shaken by overturned convictions, judicial scandals and growing evidence that at least one innocent man has been executed.
The growth of DNA forensic evidence has seen nearly 140 death row convictions overturned across the US, prompting abolition and moratoriums in other states that Texas has so far resisted.
Online petition from Amnesty – Stop Child Executions!
No child should be sentenced to death. And no mother should go through the anguish of burying a child who has been executed.
The international Convention on the Rights of the Child is 20 years old this year. To celebrate the convention, we’re calling on those countries that still executed children in the last year – Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen and Sudan – to end all executions of juveniles.
At this crucial time, Australians are joining citizens around the world calling for change. Every voice, every name, counts — for every child’s human rights.
Radio National’s profile on Myuran Sukumaran’s family
Brintha & Raji Sukumaran
While Myuran Sukumaran faces the death penalty for drug trafficking in Indonesia, his sister Brintha and mother Raji struggle to cope. They still have hope that his fate is not yet sealed.
You can listen to this story at the Radio National site here.
Melbourne rally protests death penalty – AAP
GREG ROBERTS October 10, 2009 – 3:04PM
AAP
Anyone who thinks the death penalty does not affect Australians need only look next door to Bali, where three Australians are on death row, a rally has heard.
The death penalty should be outlawed around the world as slavery and child labour have been, the Melbourne rally heard on Saturday, the seventh World Day Against the Death Penalty.
An estimated 2,000 people heard barrister Julian Burnside, who is representing two convicted Australian drug traffickers in Bali, say capital punishment is "state sanctioned violence".
"Execution is premeditated, ritualised, state-sanctioned violence by brutalised societies," he told AAP.
"There is no crime no matter how terrible that could not be properly punished by decades in a cell." Read the rest of this entry »
World Day Against The Death Penalty Rally and Dinner – Sunday October 11th
Australians Against Capital Punishment invite you to join commemorations of the World Day Against the Death Penalty.
Every year, opponents of the death penalty come together to add their voices to the growing international movement for a total abolition of capital punishment.
Justice Must Not Kill
And those who value justice, must not stay silent.
Vigil – 5pm Sunday October 11th at the Lizard, corner of Russell Street and Boundary Street, West End
Speakers include Lee & Christine Rush, whose son Scott faces execution in Indonesia
Stephen Keim, SC, patron of AACP
Maree Klemm, President of the Queensland & Northern NSW branch of Amnesty International
All friends and supporters are then invited to join us for dinner -
6pm at Huong’s restaurant at 83A Vulture Street, West End $25 per head.
– please RSVP by c.o.b. Thursday 8th October for catering purposes.
For more information, or to RSVP please email us on justine.hampson@gmail.com or 0423 709 445. Please specify any dietary requirements.
RAVE article about Rock Against the Death Penalty (4pm Sunday August 23rd)
| Steve Towson |  |
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| Tuesday, 18 August 2009 | |
| Rabble-rousing troubadour STEVE TOWSON talks to JODY MACGREGOR about playing a benefit concert for Australians Against Capital Punishment.
… JM: What should we expect from the Australians Against Capital Punishment gig? ST: Well, from the line-up some diverse, great musicians that will be playing for a cause close to their hearts. Personally, I find the idea of capital punishment terrifying, there is a saying that goes ‘no rich man ever died on death row’. To me, capital punishment is a dangerous tool that is mainly wielded by wealthy politicians against poor people. Just look at the USA and the power of life and death that was wielded by George W. Bush when he was governor. Read the full article here. |
ASU’sPetition against the Death Penalty
The ASU has launched a new petition on capital punishment, which can be signed online here, or downloaded here.
TO THE SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and
THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE SENATE OF AUSTRALIA
This petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia draws the attention of the Parliament of Australia to the fact that there are currently no Federal Laws to prohibit the use of capital punishment against Australian citizens at home or abroad.
We request that the House of Representatives and the Senate legislate at the earliest opportunity to introduce and pass laws that prohibit the use of capital punishment against all Australian citizens. We also seek that this Government and all future Governments protect Australian citizens from the death penalty in other countries.
We further seek the expansion of the current repatriation program and move to have all Australian citizens serving a custodial sentence in a foreign country repatriated to Australia.
More about the ASU’s Human Right Committee can be found here.
Rock Against the Death Penalty – updated lineup
Join musical acts Phil Monsour, Steve Towson, Wheatpaste and Brett Fahey as well as speakers including Lee & Christine Rush and Stephen Keim, SC at Australians Against Capital Punishment’s Rock Against the Death Penalty,
Browning Street Studios, 11 Browning St, West End
4pm til 8.30 Sunday August 23rd
For more information, contact Don on 0405 721 617 or don.sinnamon@gmail.com
BBC News: Kenya empties its death-row cells
By Will Ross
BBC News, Nairobi
More than 4,000 prisoners on death row in Kenya will have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment, President Mwai Kibaki has announced.
No death sentences have been carried out in Kenya for more than two decades.
Since then more than 4,000 people have been on death row in the country’s overcrowded, underfunded prisons.
AACP Concert – 4pm Sunday August 23rd
Australians Against Capital Punishment invite you to a concert to raise awareness of people facing the death penalty around the world.
Come along and hear Steve Towson, Phil Monsour, Protest! and Brett Fahey perform as well as speakers including Lee and Christine Rush, whose son Scott faces execution in Indonesia.
Sunday August 23rd 4pm- 8.30
Browning Street Studios,
11 Browning Street, West End
Entry $12 or $10 concession
For inquiries contact Tina on 0423 709 445 or email: justine.hampson@gmail.com
