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LIV denounces death penalty as luck runs out for members of the Bali Nine

The Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) has voiced strong opposition to the impending execution of two Australians convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia.

January 20, 2015 By Felicity Nelson
Amnesty International

Image: Amnesty International Poster by Fons Hickmann M23

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Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukimaran, who led a heroin smuggling operation in 2005, now face death by firing squad.  

“The time to save the lives of these young men is running out,” said LIV president Katie Miller.

Sukimaran’s bid for clemency was recently rejected by Indonesian president Joko Widodo. It is not known whether Chan’s application will be successful.

Miller encouraged lawyers to sign the petitionfor mercy from the Indonesian Government.

The LIV has long been opposed to the death penalty and supports the provision of pro bono assistance to Australian residents facing execution overseas.

“We appreciate the efforts of Australian lawyers, including members of the Victorian legal community, who are working to support these young men, and also the efforts of the Australian Government at a diplomatic level,” said Miller.

Indonesia executed six people convicted of drug-related crimes last weekend, five of which were foreign nationals from Brazil, the Netherlands, Vietnam, Malawi and Nigeria.

“The recent execution of foreign citizens in Indonesia is extremely concerning,” said Miller.

Prime minister Tony Abbott and foreign minister Julie Bishop have made numerous appeals to the Indonesian government on the behalf of the two men - with little success so far.

Labor leader Bill Shorten said the opposition fully supports the government in trying to stay the executions.

Comments (6)
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    <p>Such an enormous waste. These selfish pricks don't deserve more than the barest sympathy. They would not have cared one jot about those who would have used the drugs if they had succeeded in their evil enterprise.</p><p>Indonesia takes dangerous drugs like Heroin seriously. If it takes laws like Indonesia's to protect Australian lives, I'm all for them. </p>
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    <p>Two points - first, not sure whether death penalty is more humane than locking someone up for life or even 20 years. Not sure I would survive a year in an Indonesian prison at 300% overcapacity. Second, it's a very western thing to focus on what is humane in context of the individual rather than overall social good. Not saying I have the answer to these problems, but westerners seem to think they do??</p>
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    <p>Shaky logic, there, Peter. Past wrongs don't justify new ones. Bad choices by young men (even possibly unpleasant young men) do not justify the death penalty. In much of the civilised world, including Australia, nothing justifies the death penalty - even murder.</p>
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    <p>This reeks of colonialism. Show some respect to Indonesia's legal system and cease such comments.</p>
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    <p>Yes. And it can't be said that they didn't know the odds. If they get clemency, what does it say about the other 6 who have already gone before them.</p>
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    <p>Didnt I read 'Death to drug trafficers' at the airport????</p>
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