 Found a word you're not familiar with? Double-click that word to bring up a dictionary reference to it. The dictionary page includes an audio sound file with which to actually hear the word said. |
Further implications
If Australia is to affect the use of capital punishment against its nationals convicted in other countries then a consistent opposition is required. Both Indonesia and Australia have taken an inconsistent stance on the issue. The difference, however, is that Australia does not sanction the death penalty in any of its territories. It is therefore appropriate that it should not endorse its use anywhere.
It is concerning, as numerous commentators have noted, that two Australian prime ministers supported the execution of some of the leaders of the Bali bombing terrorist attack. This can be read as Australia wanting those who kill its citizens put to death while its citizens should not be executed.
The debate cannot be conducted in such jingoistic terms. This is the claim that has been made in relation to Indonesia - that it attempts to protect its citizens convicted of crimes committed overseas yet executes the citizens of other countries for crimes committed within its jurisdiction.
Australia should not attempt to threaten Indonesia into pardoning Australian citizens. It should not make trade agreements or foreign aid dependent on this issue. All such actions do is divert attention from the question of capital punishment itself and entrench opposition based on nationalistic divisions.
Australia should take a lead in opposing capital punishment around the world, including in the United States and China. It should be careful not to endorse anti-terrorist actions that include the use of torture and summary execution.
Regarding the particular case of Australian drug traffickers threatened with execution in Indonesia, Australia needs to continue its collaborative actions with Indonesia to combat the drug traffic by other means.
On this point, it is also concerning that the Australian Federal Police (AFP) notified the Indonesian authorities of the Bali Nine as suspected drug carriers. The AFP ensured that the group would be apprehended rather than taking them into custody in Australia. Given that Australia does not extradite people charged with capital offences to countries where the death penalty is in place the actions of the AFP seem in direct contradiction to Australia's general stance.