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Australia Changes its Position on the Death PenaltyOn 16 February 2003 the Australian PM said in a Sunday morning television interview that the Bali bombers should be dealt with in accordance with Indonesian law. and if the death penalty is what the law of Indonesia provides, well, that is how things should proceed. in that respect wont be any protest from Australia.1In early March 2003 the PM told US television that he would welcome the death penalty for Osama Bin Laden. I think everybody would, Mr Howard said.2In response to these comments"Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia would not intervene if bin Laden was to be executed. I personsally have never supported the death penalty buit int he case of Osama bin Laden, I dont think that too many years would be regorge if he was executed, bearing in mind all the people hes responsible for killing." 3 These comments mark a significant change in Australias attitude to the death penalty and a further weakening of Australias commitment to international human rights standards.Australias longstanding positionAustralia has traditionally taken a absolute principled stand against capital punishment. In 1986 diplomatic relations with Malaysia were strained when Australia protested the execution of two Australians, Kevin Barlow and Brian Chambers. The then Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, went so furthermost as to describe the death penalty as barbaric.In October 1990 Australia acceded to the Second Opt...