DPF: Death Penalty Facts
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10:13 pm, October 10th, 2007 - 2 comments
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There I was just reading this when I notice DPF doing a post on the same thing.
Stuff reports that under Clark’s leadership “New Zealand is working with other countries to put a resolution to the United Nations seeking the abolition of the death penalty world wide”.
Of course National Party blogger and HQ staff member David Farrar predictably views this news as an opportunity to have a go at the government and the UN – “we have better things to do than tell other countries how to run their justice systems”. What a horrible attitude. We’re alright mate. Stuff the rest of them. Having cursorily dismissed any question regarding our moral responsibility to advocate on behalf of others internationally, David, rainmanesque, goes on to bury himself in the numbers – “90 countries have totally abolished it, 11 only have it for incredibly rare stuff such as war time treason, 32 have it in theory but not in practice, and 64 still have it and use it. That’s around one third of the 197 countries”. I’m just thankful we were spared a graph of some sort.
David’s nasty bleat prompted me to have a closer look at our country’s record on capital punishment and I’ve got to say that what I discovered reflects pretty badly on National. Perhaps he was sticking to the numbers for a reason.
When the first Labour Party was elected in 1935 all death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. They confirmed this policy stance with the abolition of the death penalty for murder in 1941.
But in 1950 the newly elected National government *reintroduced* hanging.
In 1958 Labour got rid of it again.
Only three years later National were apparently making noises about bringing it back *again*. It was thankfully put to a conscience vote. The changing tide of public opinion saw several National members cross the floor to vote against its reintroduction and the use of capital punishment was eventually restricted only to the crime of treason.
It wasn’t until 1989 that Labour finally abolished the death penalty once and (hopefully) for all.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s proud that New Zealand has a history of standing up for principles and standing up for others – and occasionally standing up *to* others. Clark’s presence at the Oxford Union a week or so ago reinforced just these kinds of historical resonances for me.
Being part of an international community sometimes means taking a stand, and David, I’m glad we do.
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The Government has cut funding for bus drivers to get paid fairly for the work they do, Labour transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...2 weeks ago
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Proposed cuts to Kāinga Ora reflect a failure to fully commit to fixing the housing crisis. ...2 weeks ago
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Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Justice, Tākuta Ferris, has hit out at the Government, demanding the Crown prove its rights to the foreshore, following the Marine and Coastal Area Amendment Bill, passing its first reading. "Māori rights to the foreshore pre-exist the Declaration of Independence, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and ...2 weeks ago
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The real problem in the public sector is ongoing job losses and cuts to the front line. ...2 weeks ago
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The National Government is oblivious to the impact cuts to services will have on New Zealanders who are doing the hard yards caring for mentally ill family members. ...2 weeks ago
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Nicola Willis has set up the public service to fail to pay for reckless tax cuts for landlords and the tobacco industry. ...2 weeks ago
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters are renewing New Zealand’s calls for restraint and de-escalation, on the first anniversary of the 7 October terrorist attacks on Israel. “New Zealand was horrified by the monstrous actions of Hamas against Israel a year ago today,” Mr Luxon says. ...2 days ago
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The Fast-track Approvals Bill will list 22 renewable electricity projects with a combined capacity of 3 Gigawatts, which will help secure a clean, reliable and affordable supply of electricity across New Zealand, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Government has a goal of doubling New Zealand’s renewable electricity generation. The 22 ...3 days ago
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The Government has enabled fast-track consenting for 29 critical road, rail, and port projects across New Zealand to deliver these priority projects faster and boost economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “New Zealand has an infrastructure deficit, and our Government is working to fix it. Delivering the transport infrastructure Kiwis ...3 days ago
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The 149 projects released today for inclusion in the Government’s one-stop-shop Fast Track Approvals Bill will help rebuild the economy and fix our housing crisis, improve energy security, and address our infrastructure deficit, Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop says. “The 149 projects selected by the Government have significant regional or ...3 days ago
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A new multi-purpose recreation centre will provide a valuable wellbeing hub for residents and visitors to Ruakākā in Northland, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The Ruakākā Recreation Centre, officially opened today, includes separate areas for a gymnasium, a community health space and meeting rooms made possible with support of ...4 days ago
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Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson announced up to $50,000 in additional Government support for farmers and growers across Southland and parts of Otago as challenging spring weather conditions have been classified a medium-scale adverse event. “The relentless wet weather has been tough on farmers and ...5 days ago
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Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay today welcomed a move by the European Commission to delay the implementation of the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by 12 months, describing the proposal as a pragmatic step that will provide much-needed certainty for New Zealand exporters and ensure over $200 million in ...5 days ago
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The Government is taking decisive action in response to the Ministerial Inquiry into School Property, which concludes the way school property is delivered is not fit for purpose. “The school property portfolio is worth $30 billion, and it’s critically important it’s managed properly. This Government is taking a series of immediate actions ...5 days ago
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The Government has announced a new support programme for the residential construction market while the economy recovers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say. “We know the residential development sector is vulnerable to economic downturns. The lead time for building houses is typically 18 ...5 days ago
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The latest 2023 Census results released today further highlight New Zealand’s growing ethnic and cultural diversity, says Ethnic Communities Minister Melissa Lee. “Today’s census results are further evidence of the increasingly diverse nature of our population. It’s something that should be celebrated and also serve as a reminder of the ...6 days ago
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Parents and caregivers are now able to claim for FamilyBoost, which provides low-to-middle-income families with young children payments to help them meet early childhood education (ECE) costs. “FamilyBoost is one of the ways we are supporting families with young children who are struggling with the cost of living, by helping ...6 days ago
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This week’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM) has concluded with a renewed commitment to regional security of all types, Defence Minister Judith Collins says. Defence Ministers and senior civilian and military officials from Australia, Chile, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga gathered in Auckland to discuss defence and security cooperation in the ...6 days ago
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- Speech to the Minerals West Coast Forum
Introduction Good morning! What a pleasure to be back in the stunning West Coast at one of my favourite events in the calendar. Every time I come back here, I’m reminded of the Coast’s natural beauty, valuable resources, and great people. Yet, every time I come back here, I’m also ...6 days ago
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- PPTA accepts charter schools
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RNZ asked Judith Collins if she would ensure staffing issues were within the scope an inquiry. ...8 hours ago
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It’s a shame that there are people so one-eyed that they’ll take any opportunity to have a dig at the govt. I assume DPF thinks we should butt the hell out of arguing for sanctions against Myanmar. I mean if their “justice” system wants to cap a few monks who the hell are we to get involved?!
While we’re at it, I propose we, as a country, apologise to South Africa’s government for interfering with them back in the 80’s and 90’s (and wasn’t that oh so rude of us, in hindsight?).
Farrar – take off the blinkers and show some humanity, instead of taking a cheap dig at Labour. If you were able to do so, you’d realise there are issues that trancend your type of petty partisan politics.
Really disgraceful from DPF – at elast he’s usually pretty good on moral issues (after all he is meant to be a classical liberal).
As for hsi argument that was shouldn’t waste effort telling other countries how to live
a) if you’re against the death penalty its only morally denfensible to be against it everywhere.
b)Its not like its an extra use of our resources to support this resolution. We have people at the UN, they vote for, or against, or abstain on every resolution. each action is a developed policy choice using the same level of resources.