Last-Minute Pleas Pour In to Stop Indonesia's Execution of Two Australian Drug Smugglers

Keep Hope Alive

Keep Hope Alive – courtesy Amnesty International Australia

Time is quickly running out for convicted Australian drug smugglers Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, who face execution in Indonesia. They are part of the Bali Nine, who were arrested in 2005 in Denpasar. Pleas for presidential clemency and judicial reviews have been rejected.

The Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he has done everything he can but will not engage in “megaphone diplomacy”, according to the Jakarta Post. Many are not convinced:

An opinion poll taken in Australia is also the centre of controversy. It asked, “In your opinion if an Australian is convicted of drug trafficking in another country & sentenced to death, should the penalty be carried out?” with 52% answering yes in the phone poll. The sample size and method have been criticised.

In addition, ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) radio station Triple J has copped criticism over the poll:

The Indonesian government has been using the poll to justify their decision:

Public opinion is certainly divided within Australia. Artist Ben Quilty has been organizing against the death penalty for the pair. He is calling for the Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to go to Indonesia:

Radio presenter Garry Linnell opposed a candlelight vigil on 29 January and had supporters:

Academic Patrick Stokes has discussed arguments for and against the death penalty in the Bali Nine case, and how not to argue for the death penalty, concluding:

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has said that the executions should take place – just not in Bali. It seems it’s OK for things like this to happen, so long as they don’t happen here, where we have to confront the full reality of what is done when the state ends a life, of what it is to shoot a man tied to a stake.

Sadly, many Australians seem to agree.

While PM Abbott was drumming up support for new data retention laws, the role of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in tipping off the Indonesian authorities was questioned:

The Twitter hashtag #IStandForMercy is another online focus of support:

Some on Twitter have wondered about a possible racial element amongst those who criticise the campaign to save the two Australians:

Meanwhile the vigils continue:

A rally is planned for Sydney’s Martin Place, scene of the recent siege and deaths.

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