Papua New Guinea repeals death penalty 30 years after reintroduction

The Papua New Guinea capital of Port Moresby. The country has repealed the death penalty 30 years after reintroducing it. Photograph: Robert Weber/The Guardian

Papua New Guinea has repealed the death penalty 30 years after reintroducing it, with prime minister James Marape saying it was “not an effective deterrent to serious crime”.

Offences such as treason, piracy, murder – including sorcery related violence – and aggravated rape will now be punishable by life imprisonment without parole or parole after 30 years.