Minutes of the AGM of the APPG on the Abolition of the Death Penalty – Virtual Meeting on the 29th of April 2021 at 3pm.

Minutes of the AGM of the APPG on the Abolition of the Death Penalty – Virtual Meeting on the 29th of April 2021 at 3pm.

1. Present

Baroness Stern, Lord Dubs, Lord Faulkner, Baroness Kennedy, Lord Purvis, Sarah Champion MP

In attendance – Frank Warburton, Carl Jackson

2. Apologies

Mark Pritchard MP, Baroness Masham, Baroness Anelay, Baroness Whitaker 

The meeting noted with much regret the recent passing of Lord Judd who had been a champion of the abolition of the death penalty and many other causes

3. Election of officers

Co-chairs – Mark Pritchard MP and Vivien Stern – proposed and seconded and elected unanimously

Vice-chairs – Baroness Anelay, Baroness Hooper, Baroness Whitaker, Lord Dubs, Lord Dholakia, Lord Faulkner, Lord Purvis, Alistair Carmichael MP, Sarah Champion MP

4. Activities in 2020

Activities in the previous period had focussed mainly on correspondence about cases where the use of the death penalty is a significant risk. Or, as with the Saudi Arabian Government, to encourage the full implementation of recent statements to cease the use of the death penalty for juveniles and for drug offences.  

5. Future plans

The meeting discussed options for activities using virtual media and agreed to hold a full planning meeting at the end of May 2020 (date to be confirmed) when there should be a clearer picture of how far restrictions on travel and meetings has eased.