Death Penalty News

Equatorial Guinea, one of the world's most authoritarian countries, has abolished the death penalty, state television announced on Monday citing a new law signed by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Capital punishment was "totally abolished" in the oil-rich central African nation after the president signed a new penal code, shared on Twitter by the vice president. The last official execution in the small country was carried out in 2014, according to Amnesty International, but international NGOs and the United Nations regularly accuse the regime of forced disappearances, arbitrary detention and torture. The death penalty remains legal in more than 30 African countries, although only around half have executed people in recent years. "I am writing in capitals to seal this unique moment: 'EQUATORIAL GUINEA HAS ABOLISHED THE DEATH PENALTY'," tweeted Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, one of the head of state's sons and viewed as his likel...

The federal government is warning Australians that if they travel to China, they could be arbitrarily detained. The Australian government has updated its China travel advice to reflect the risk of being arbitrarily detained for endangering national security. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade changed its advice on Tuesday, although the Level 4 "do not travel" alert remains in place.  "If you're already in China, and wish to return to Australia, we recommend you do so as soon as possible by commercial means," the advice read. "Authorities have detained foreigners because they're 'endangering national security'. Australians may also be at risk of arbitrary detention. Do not travel to China." The Canadian government issued a similar warning about travelling to China last year after a Canadian drug suspect was sentenced to death.  Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed "extreme concern" th...