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 [2], 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 [3]. Many are not convinced:
Not objecting to the execution of your own citizens is, itself, a form of megaphone diplomacy.
— Sir Newt (@NewtonMark) February 5, 2015 [4]
An opinion poll taken in Australia is also the centre of controversy [5]. 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:
Bit of a stretch @DailyMailAU [6] that a @triplej [7] poll could lead to the execution of Sukumaran and Chan. http://t.co/VYPloxErXB [8] #Bali9 [9] #media [10]
— Steve Williams (@randomswill) February 4, 2015 [11]
The Indonesian government has been using the poll to justify their decision:
Indonesia using Triple J poll to justify Bali Nine executions – 9#Au http://t.co/weGQliIPAM [12] #Aust [13]
— Tweeting Roo ™ (@TweetingRoo) February 4, 2015 [14]
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:
http://t.co/HqVjshO9ZS [15] @JulieBishopMP [16] please go to Bali.
— Ben Quilty (@BenQuilty) February 4, 2015 [17]
Radio presenter Garry Linnell opposed a candlelight vigil on 29 January and had supporters:
“Bali 9: Why I won't be lighting a candle for Sukumaran and Chan” – gutsy piece from Garry Linnell: http://t.co/XTnqe8tlXU [18] via @smh [19]
— Leo D'Angelo Fisher (@DAngeloFisher) January 29, 2015 [20]
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 [21], concluding:
Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has said [22] 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 [23].
Sadly, many Australians seem to agree.
While PM Abbott was drumming up support for new data retention laws [24], the role of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in tipping off [25]the Indonesian authorities was questioned:
With Abbott standing next to AFP for PR terror stunt why not ask for investigation role of AFP into Bali9 given over to Indon, death penalty
— suemazzy (@suemazzy1) February 4, 2015 [26]
The Twitter hashtag #IStandForMercy [27] is another online focus of support:
With my daughter lighting candles for mercy. #IStandForMercy [27] #keephopealive [28] @MercyCampaign [29] pic.twitter.com/nyeQNNGUDR [30]
— Verity Firth (@VerityFirth) January 29, 2015 [31]
Nobody deserves the death penalty, no matter what crime has been committed.#IStandForMercy [27]. @jokowi_do2 [32] http://t.co/lwyx6buEgW [33]
— Janet Rice (@janet_rice) January 29, 2015 [34]
Some on Twitter have wondered about a possible racial element amongst those who criticise the campaign to save the two Australians:
Wonder how these Bali 9 dudes on Death Row would be viewed if they were white?
— BRIGGS (@BriggsGE) February 5, 2015 [35]
Meanwhile the vigils continue:
Join us at a vigil tonight to abolish the #DeathPenalty [36] and #KeepHopeAlive [37] http://t.co/7ewm29Bo3V [38] http://t.co/fW8TbIddwZ [39] #IStandForMercy [27]
— NSW Women's Network (@AmnestyWomen) February 5, 2015 [40]
A rally is planned for Sydney’s Martin Place, scene of the recent siege and deaths [41].