Bali Nine member Myuran Sukumaran to face death

I think you’re being a bit harsh - no one likes seeing stupid kids getting the death penalty (ie the mules), but I support the Indonesian courts imposing the death sentence on the people behind the smuggling operation regardless of the colour of their skin or gender. I’d like to think most Australians see it that way… How many lives would 8 kg of pure heroin have impacted? Many thousands i would imagine, and none of them in a positive way.

Personally, I’m glad for the mules that it looks like they’ll avoid the death penalty, but as the old saying goes, do the crime do the time. Stupidity is not an excuse.

I don’t feel sorry for the organisers, although I do feel concern for their families. That has nothing to do with their nationality and/or ethnicity. I see the mules as basically stupid and they are suffering for their stupidity.

I’ve never used drugs so I have no axe to grind on this subject, but I see prohibition as ineffective and expensive to the national economy. I believe that addicts should be encouraged to register and be supplied through special clinics. This would cut out the dealers and smugglers etc.

In the meantime, most countries heavily penalise both dealers and users and, as long as it stays that way, it pays us to be aware of it.

I find this an absolutely fatuous comment:

http://www.optusnet.com.au/news/story/abc/20060125/14/international/1554715.inp

‘UN official urges more action on death penalty
10:48 AM January 25

A senior United Nations (UN) official has criticised the Federal Government over what he says is its failure to stop the death penalty being imposed against Australians overseas.

UN official Philip Alston made the comment as Indonesian prosecutors recommended that at least one of the so-called Bali nine be executed if found guilty of allegedly planning and funding a heroin trafficking operation.

Indonesian prosecutors said there was no reason to grant leniency to the alleged ringleader Myuran Sukumaran, but did recommend life imprisonment for one of his co-defendants Michael Czugaj.

Mr Alston has told ABC Radio’s AM program that the Australian Government needs to do more on the death penalty issue.

“There are going to be many more Australians potentially on death row in various Asian countries and to pretend that’s not the case, is burying your head in the sand,” he said.

“So the question now is what’s the Government going to do.”

Mr Alston says Australia acted too late to spare the life of Melbourne man Van Nguyen, and it is now time to do more to ensure that one of the so-called Bali nine, if convicted, does not face execution.

While Mr Alston says Australia should continue to help countries which have the death penalty fight crime, it should do so on the condition that no Australian is sentenced to death.

“It’s a matter of saying we have a strong opposition in Australia to the death penalty and we would condition our cooperation on your not applying the death penalty when you are operating on the basis of information or assistance provided by us,” he said.

Source: ABC’

As for “we have a strong opposition in Australia to the death penalty”, that may be the official line, but I don’t see much of an outcry in Australia occuring if/when the Bali bombers are executed.

And what does Alston expect our police forces to do? Refuse to co-operate with countries which don’t suit our official attitudes to sentencing? [Which are frequently not what the majority of Australians want anyway.] And allow various serious criminals [not just drug offenders] to laugh at official stupidity, as they openly flout the law?

And what does he think that Australia should do about the rights of independant nations to make and enforce their own standards? Send in the SAS?

Still, I suppose he has to be seen to be making a bit of noise occasionally, if only to justify his no doubt inflated salary.

My comment for all 9 would be “shoot the buggers”…maybe I should go to the pub more…

Is there proof anywhere the rene lawrance is actually female???

I think that’s a bit harsh, Bel, to say that the 8kg of heroin wouldn’t impact anyone’s life positively.

Easily off the top of my head, the introduction of lots of heroin into the market makes the price go down, so people who are dealing with a heroin addiction will be less economically ruined.

In addition, there’s entirely the possibility of there existing a heroin user who, gasp wants to be on heroin. Stranger things have happened.

Do I think heroin is a bad thing for me? Sure, I do. But that doesn’t mean I advocate states killing people who are responding to demand for it.

I wouldnt go to Bali for a holiday if I was paid to go.
Same applies to rest of Indonesia and most of asia as well.
When will you stupid fellow Australians learn.
Plenty of other nice places including the pacific islands to go for a holiday.

The most ironic part is the Australian Federal Police tipped off Jakarta and the Australian government is now going to oppose the death penalty for Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran. What did they think was going to happen? Idiots…should have let them come back to Australia to lead them to the real drug lords.

Why wouldn’t you go to Bali for a holiday, Stephen? Pretty cool place, really!

What Vickers means is, he wouldn’t risk trafficking drugs in Bali over the course of a holiday like, say, Schapelle Corby (or sourcing drugs there, like the Bali 9).

Yeah they should have let them bring the drugs back to Australia and get off with a slap on the wrist at our expense..these idiots aren’t worth the cost of a prison cell and food and keep. Let them all die overseas and I hope they never again see Australia.

I agree

it is quite odd the only two non whites were also handed the death sentence

the apparent ring leaders, where was the evidence of this, was this based only on the words of the other crminal 7, would you not say anything, even crucify someone else to get a lighter sentence

Those gutless wonders who are so quick to say shoot them should go away and think a little more about the subject. Capital punishment is murder, that’s why we abolished it here in Australia. Bet you would change your tune quick smart if one of your family members were facing a bullet or a noose for a mistake. These young people have learned from their mistakes, you really think it’s worth killing over? It’s just so big of you to say this crap sitting being your computer. Again~ put yourself behind the gun or in charge of the trap door when your Father or son is pleading for his life and see how f@#kin tough you are then? THINK ABOUT IT!

I didn’t think a relative had to shoot the idiots. I’m sure someone already has that job.I feel sorry for the families..they had no choice over what the 9 stupid people currently living in bali’s jail made the decision to do..and they too are the ones who will have to live with any consequences. But the consequnces are well known. And now is the time for them to pay the price.

I agree halli..they should all have recieved the same sentence…death

They didn’t show remorse?

Why should they show remorse? It’s not lke they killed/raped/extorted someone.

All they were doing was importing a drug for the likes of those Kings Cross junkies that have chosen that path anyway. I’m sure they aren’t too worried at finding their next fix.

Bollocks to Islamist fundamentilist fucks that think their koran covers these types of things.

Bollocks

I think you all should stop being racis, saying shoot the buggers, who cares, you shouldn’t even be allowed to work as what ever you work as