Once again, the WA Office will state its position openly: the death penalty is an archaic barbarism incompatible with a modern rational and civilised society. The death penalty is ineffective, coupling high costs with no measurable deterrent effects, while undermining justice by killing innocents. Repealing legislation which was a great step forward in advancing our values is not something in which the Office is interested.

As to national sovereignty: in our previous opinions, the death penalty has been legislated on in the past, in GA 443 'Preventing the Execution of Innocents', 'Crime and Punishment', and 'Convention on Execution'. The Assembly has also legislated on other controversial topics such as abortion, euthanasia, and arms trading. Ensuring justice and freedom for all, even over the objections of a vocal minority, is not destroying or harming the Assembly, it is fulfilling its purpose.

Previously we also addressed the argument that because something is popular it should not be banned. Claims, like those made by George W Bush to the European Parliament in 2001 that ‘the death penalty is the will of the American people’ are laughably weak. Claudia Whitman, ‘The Death Penalty as the Will of the People’ (2001) 13 Peace Rev 519, 519 (quoting Bush). Equivocating with opinion polls on a matter of fundamental dignity is little more than moral abdication. That something is fashionable does not make it right.

The repeal's novel argument, that the resolution fails to prohibit the death penalty under a military penal code, is letting the perfect become the enemy of the good. If the WA believes in full abolition, it can do it, Death Penalty Ban notwithstanding. Protections too are provided under GA 443 'Preventing the Execution of Innocents', arguing that the exception 'lead[s] to the dilution of fair trial standards' is a lie.

Taking all of this into account, the WA Office strongly recommends a vote against Repeal “Death Penalty Ban”.

Primary author(s): Honeydewistania, Imperium Anglorum.