Tough response if executions go ahead

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Indonesia will feel Australia's displeasure if the executions of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran proceed.

Bali Nine duo Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran

Bali Nine duo Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran Source: AAP

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has warned of a tough diplomatic response if Indonesia carries out the executions of Bali Nine drug smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

There appears to be little hope of an 11th-hour reprieve for the pair, with authorities in Indonesia confirming a briefing for Australian officials in Jakarta on Monday to outline the execution process.

Chan and Sukumaran, who were busted in 2005 in Bali as part of a heroin trafficking plot along with seven other Australians, will face the firing squad before the end of the month.

Mr Abbott on Sunday said millions of Australians were sickened by what might be about to take place in Indonesia, adding that the executions will be met with a tough response.

He refused to say, however, if Australia's ambassador would be recalled.

"If these executions go ahead, and I hope they don't, we will certainly be finding ways to make out displeasure felt," Mr Abbott told Network Ten.

Brazil and The Netherlands recalled their ambassadors in protest at executions of their citizens in January.

The prime minister also stepped up his criticism of Indonesia for trying to save its own citizens on death row in other countries for drug trafficking while rejecting pleas from Australia to spare the lives of Chan and Sukumaran.

"It certainly believes that the death penalty should not apply to its citizens abroad," Mr Abbott said.

Despite Indonesian President Joko Widodo's insistence that the Bali Nine duo will be put to death, Mr Abbott said Australia would continue with "11th-hour" efforts to save their lives.

"What we are asking of Indonesia is what Indonesia asks of other countries when its citizens are on death row," Mr Abbott later said at a community event in western Sydney.

"If it's right for Indonesia to ask and expect some kind of clemency, it's surely right for us to ask and expect some kind of clemency."

As time runs out for Chan and Sukumaran, a petition carrying more than 150,000 signatures asking for clemency is set to be presented to members of their families at a gathering in Sydney.

The petitions will be submitted to the Indonesian and Australian governments.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek also made fresh appeals for the Indonesian president to show mercy.

"A decade on from their crimes Myuran and Andrew are changed men. They have shown deep remorse and are committed to assisting other prisoners," Ms Bishop said in a statement.

"They deserve an opportunity to continue repaying their debt to society."

The statements were read out during a media conference on Sunday attended by Sukumaran's grandmother Edith Visvanathan, his uncle Roshan Visvanathan and cousin Andrew Rajeevan.

Ms Plibersek said Sukumaran and Chan "have demonstrated genuine remorse".

"These two young men have done the wrong thing. They have broken the law, and deserve to be punished," she said in a statement.

"But the Opposition is united with the Government in urging mercy for Andrew and Myuran. We oppose the death penalty, for every offence, for everyone, everywhere."

Ms Plibersek said the two men deserve an opportunity to continue repaying their debt to society.

Australia was only asking of Indonesia what it asks on behalf of its own citizens facing death in other countries, she said.


Share

4 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world