Transcript
The Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea is lobbying for supporters to sign a petition opposing the death penalty.
The church will submit the petition to Parliament in October.
The government decided to revive the death penalty in 2013 but has yet to implement it.
Following subsequent national and international outcry, the prime minister Peter O'Neill-led government has indicated it is reviewing the death penalty.
Public support for dropping the death penalty continues to mobilise, with 19 dioceses across the country are working on the petition.
Port Moresby Archbishop John Ribat spoke to Esther Zweifel about the church's concerns.
JOHN RIBAT: We have not stopped raising concerns that this section of the law should be repealed and we are of the concern that while we have serious crimes and so on, the death penalty is not an answer to deter serious crimes.
ESTHER ZWEIFEL: What is the church doing to oppose this law?
JR: Throughout the church of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, at this time, we have embarked on encouraging our people to sign a petition. We are now encouraging the parishioners here in the Archdiocese of Port Moresby but also in other Diocese also, they're doing it. We are all doing it at the same time. So when the Parliament sits again in October we will be able to present this petition.
EZ: Has the government indicated it will reconsider the law if there is enough opposition?
JR: It is the government's prerogative to say lets make it a law and let it remain a law, but at least if the government doesn't listen and go ahead, well that is its right. It is a concern and of course, we said, at least we have voiced our concerns, as believers and as Christians. But then if the government kind of listens to our petition and does go ahead to be able to repeal the law against the death penalty, then I think to the advantage of the people and we would say that we have been blessed.
