PM rules out campaign against death penalty

Prime Minister John Howard has ruled out a push by Australia to end capital punishment in other countries in the wake of the execution of Van Nguyen in Singapore.

The body of the 25-year-old drug trafficker has arrived back in Melbourne for burial.

John Howard has told the ABC's Insiders program while he is against the death penalty, he is realistic about what can be achieved.

"I'm not saying we won't pursue it in different ways but if anybody imagines that a diplomatic offensive by Australia is going to change the attitude of China or Singapore or Malaysia, or other countries in the region to capital punishment, then I think they're mistaken," Mr Howard said.

Meanwhile, lawyer Lex Lasry says finality has brought relief to Mrs Nguyen, who has arranged a funeral for her son on Wednesday.

He says he hopes Nguyen is not forgotten by Australians.

"I think Van may become a sort of a signpost for ... to demonstrate the way young people who get into the sort of situation he was in, can transform themselves," he said.

"I've said a number of times his transformation over the last two years was unbelievable.

"It was inspiring, it was complete and was quite magnificent."

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Sun, 4 December 2005
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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