Another political death sentence in Iraq

Amnesty International has condemned the death sentence handed to Iraq's former Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadhan, saying it was a denial of true justice to the victims of Saddam Hussein's rule.

Secretary General Irene Khan said the appeal process appeared to be "little more than a rubber stamp, intended to provide a veneer of legitimacy to what was clearly a politically-motivated outcome."

Rally for life against Bali sentences

On 25 February a family fun day in Victoria will celebrate life and take a stand against the death sentences handed to six Australians in Bali.

The day of music, guest speakers, food and fun activities will be held at the Hepburn Palais, Hepburn Springs from 2pm - 11pm. Tickets cost $12 per person or $20 for a family.

All proceeds will go to the families of the Australian prisoners in Bali to assist them with visitor access, the provision of basic needs and better legal representation.

Forty years since Australia's last execution

In early February a solemn gathering in Melbourne commemorated the hanging of Ronald Ryan in 1967 for the murder of a prison officer. It was Australia's last execution.

Dr Philip Opas, Ryan's defence lawyer, said his client "was hanged for political reasons and I don't believe those kind of reasons have changed anywhere in the world where people are executed."

The unprecedented opposition in the community ensured that no-one was ever executed in Australia again.

Over the next 18 years the death penalty was abolished in eight jurisdictions across the country. By 1985, the country was completely abolitionist.