It's also being asked to take a leading role in pushing to scrap the death penalty in Asia and the Pacific following a renewed focus on the execution of drug smugglers.
The repatriation of convicted Australian drug smugglers serving life sentences in Bali rehashed memories of Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran being executed in Indonesia for their role in the plot to import heroin.
Federal police have been criticised for passing on a tip-off to authorities in Indonesia where the death penalty for drug smuggling applies, rather than arresting the offenders on arrival in Australia.
Elizabeth Wood wants police to operate in a way that avoids Australians facing the death penalty. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
Capital Punishment Justice Project CEO Elizabeth Wood backed calls for greater police oversight.
She called for them to be held to the same standard as other government departments under a strategy outlining Australia's opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances and against all people.
"We are concerned they're carved out of the strategy and operate under a different policy," she told AAP.
Legislating against the AFP assisting international police forces, including information sharing, when someone could face the death penalty should be investigated, a parliamentary committee said.
The committee reviewing Australia's advocacy to abolish the death penalty recommended an annual review into how the AFP adheres to Australia's human rights obligations, including its push to get rid of the death penalty.
The AFP was contacted for comment, with a spokesperson saying the inquiry recommendations "were under review and consideration".
The committee recommended that Australia should continue to push for the abolition of the death penalty, especially in the Asia-Pacific, and canvass support from like-minded countries in the region to form a coalition to oppose the measure.
Tonga was singled out as the only member of the Pacific Islands Forum with the death penalty following a domestic discussion about expanding it to cover drug-related offences.
"We do think that Australia should be pushing for Tonga definitely not to extend the death penalty to drug offences, but also to get rid of it as well," Ms Wood said.
Noting that change was incremental, the Australian government should push for a reduction in offences that carry the death penalty, including for drug-related crimes and mandatory capital punishment, the committee and Ms Wood said.
There was no evidence having the death penalty for drug offences over significant prison sentences proved a stronger deterrent and Australia needed to urge other nations to implement evidence-based measures, she said.
Twelve countries were identified as having the death penalty for adultery and same-sex relations.
A Brisbane protest against Brunei's use of the death penalty to punish homosexuality and adultery. (Aaron Bunch/AAP PHOTOS)
Despite the small number of executions for these offences, the justice project expressed concerns about "a chilling trickle-down effect within communities by legitimising vigilantism and honour killings".
Those from poorer socio-economic backgrounds or minority groups were disproportionately affected by the death penalty, Amnesty Australia said.
The committee also heard concerns Australia's deportation policies risked sending people back to countries that retained capital punishment, with particular challenges facing LGBTIQA+ asylum seekers highlighted.
"Australia has a longstanding and principled opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances for all people," a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.
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