By Max Bartels
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania
Jakarta, Indonesia
Australian citizens Andrew Chan and Myruran Sukumaran were executed Wednesday in Indonesia by firing squad. Both men were convicted in Indonesian courts and sentenced to death for their membership in the Bali Nine, a drug smuggling group. The executions took place despite strong protests from the Australian government and others in the international community.
In response to the executions Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott recalled the Australian ambassador to Indonesia. Abbott protested the executions saying that they were unnecessary because both men had been rehabilitated after 10 years in Indonesian prison. Abbott went on to say that these executions mark a dark time in Indonesian- Australian relations but he also stated that the relationship between the two countries would be restored.
The Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop protested saying that the executions were against international law. Australia requested that the case be submitted to the International Court of Justice for arbitration however, Indonesia never responded to the Australian appeals. According to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, signed by Indonesia, the death penalty can only be imposed for the most serious crimes. Australia argues that drug trafficking does not rise to the level of a serious crime warranting the death penalty.
The Australian federal government claims that they are now taking the death penalty into account before they tip off foreign agencies to suspected Australian drug smugglers operating abroad. Justice Minister Michael Keenan insists that there are strict guidelines in place that Australian law enforcement officials have to consider the dangers of Australian citizens facing execution abroad.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo claims that the execution of the Australian citizens was not a political issue. He stated to reporters that it was an issue of Indonesian legal sovereignty and that Indonesian sovereignty must be respected. The President has imposed the death penalty in drug smuggling cases because of the significant toll drugs are taking on Indonesian society.
Five other foreign nationals were executed in Indonesia on drug smuggling convictions along with the two Australians. Among them were four Nigerian nationals and one Brazilian National. A second Brazilian is scheduled for execution this year and the Brazilian ambassador to Indonesia has also been recalled to Brazil for consultations. A Filipino women was also scheduled to be executed with the others but was spared a the last minute, no reason has been given by Indonesian authorities but it is suspected that there have been developments in her case.
For more information, please see:
CNN — Australia Recalls Ambassador After Indonesia Executes Prisoners — 29 April, 2015
Yahoo News — Bodies of Australians Executed in Indonesia Arrive Home: Reports — 1 May, 2015
