COOK ISLANDS’ PARLIAMENT TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY

the death penalty in the Cook Islands is due to be abolished in the sitting of parliament that begins today, reports Cook Island News. The amendment to the Crimes Act 1969 is in line with a common view shared by New Zealand and other countries in the region that the death penalty is no longer appropriate punishment. Its effect is to change the Criminal Procedure Act 1980-81 and the Judicature Act 1980-81 so that death changes to life imprisonment. Apparently the chosen method of death is execution by hanging. Capital punishment under the act has never been carried out and only applies to the crime of treason. Treason is defined in the act as taking part in a war against the Cooks or New Zealand, an attempt to overthrow government or an attempt to harm (wound or kill) the Queen. The Cook Islands law regarding capital punishment was based on the old NZ law.