[Deathpenalty]death penalty news --- worldwide

[Joerg Sommer]

death penalty news

July 14, 2004


NEW ZEALAND:

Support for death penalty in NZ

The death penalty was abolished nearly 45 years ago but a poll shows nearly 
one in three New Zealanders want it back.

The One News Colmar Brunton poll finds voters want a range of justice laws 
toughened up.

The record for New Zealand's longest sentence goes to William Bell, who was 
jailed for 30 years for a triple murder at the Mount Wellington-Panmure RSA 
in 2001.

Justice Minister Phil Goff says the government has significantly toughened 
sentencing and parole laws, but that is not enough for the 28% who want to 
bring back the death penalty.

The poll found 67% do not want the death penalty and 5% don't know.

Goff says the justice system isn't perfect enough to guarantee that 
somebody convicted of a crime actually committed that crime.

"To take the life of an innocent person is the worst thing that a state can 
do to its citizens," he says.

The National Party agrees and says more of the public would too if they saw 
other justice laws strengthened, such as no parole for violent and repeat 
offenders.

Under a National government only those offenders on their first low-level 
stint in jail would be able to qualify for parole, and only if they show 
genuine remorse and rehabilitation.

Just 13% of voters are happy with current parole laws, 28% want parole 
abolished and 58% want to retain it, but under stricter conditions.

The poll shows significant support for National's tough new law and order 
policies but scepticism about why it is promoting them, with 54% saying the 
party is only doing so to win votes.

The poll also questioned voters on the use of DNA samples. Currently they 
are taken only from those suspected of burglary and serious offences.

It found 58% want compulsory samples from anyone who is arrested, 40% are 
happy with the status quo and 2% don't know.

The poll of 1,000 voters has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2%.

(source: TV NZ)