PM Transcripts

JOINT APPEAL TO THE STATE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA
Mr State President
we, the undersigned, call on you most urgently, and in the
name of human compassion, to grant clemency to Mr Mangena
Jeffrey Boesman who is, we understand, sentenced to be
executed on Friday 29 September.
we are strongly and universally opposed to imposition of the
death penalty, which is an inhumane and degrading form of
punishment in violation of the most fundamental of human
rights the right to life. It is because of this that
capital punishment has been abolished Federally and in all
Australian States, and that the Australian Government
regularly raises its concern over the death penalty with
other governments.
Moreover, in the case of Mangena Jeffrey Boesman we are
deeply concerned that his execution would constitute a
particularly severe injustice.
We note that the case was originally heard by a single judge
and leave to appeal was refused. We understand that
Mr Boesman and his fellow accused were also severely
disadvantaged at the start of their trial in November 1986
by their lack of adequate legal representation, that State
witnesses were drawn from among those present in the crowd
and that such evidence might well therefore be tainted by
fear of themselves being charged.
You were able to commute the death sentences of two of his
co-accused, and we urge you to do the same in the case of
Mr Boesman.
if Mr Boesman is executed, it will be seen by the world as
the first political execution authorised by your new
Government. It will also be a major blow to the prospects
for peace and justice in South Africa.
We have noted that in your inauguration statement you
pledged yourself to a quest for peace in South Africa
through fairness and justice. We consider that it would
signal most clearly to the world that you are determined to
pursue this quest if you are able to grant clemency in this
case. We call on you most urgently to do so.
Bob Hawke Andrew Peacock
Prime Minister of Australia Leader of the Opposition
Janine Haines, Leader
Australian Democrats
28 September 1989 2081