Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 6, 2006 18:33:54 GMT -5
Bali sentences 'murder by the state'
INDONESIA'S plans to execute 4 more of the Bali Nine smugglers is "murder
by the state", said Greens leader Bob Brown.
Senator Brown was one of several senators who criticised the death
sentences given by Indonesia's Supreme Court to four of the nine
Australians who tried to smuggle heroin into Australia from Bali.
"The death penalty is barbaric wherever it's practised," Senator Brown
said.
His National party counterpart, Ron Boswell, agreed.
"I don't support capital punishment and never have... in any form," he
said.
Australian Democrats senators were disturbed by the reports, saying the
Federal Government must confirm or deny them.
"We need an unequivocal and clear statement from the Australian Government
that it doesn't support capital punishment and it will not allow Indonesia
to impose the death penalty," said Democrats senator Natasha Stott
Despoja.
Democrats leader Lyn Allison says if the reports are true, the new
sentences are very alarming.
"It's, I guess, a risk they took in appealing against their sentences. I
don't know if it was understood by them at the time, but it's very severe
if it is the case," she said.
Family First senator Steve Fielding says it would be a grave concern if
the reports were true.
"The death penalty is something Family First totally opposes," he said.
(source: The Australian)
INDONESIA'S plans to execute 4 more of the Bali Nine smugglers is "murder
by the state", said Greens leader Bob Brown.
Senator Brown was one of several senators who criticised the death
sentences given by Indonesia's Supreme Court to four of the nine
Australians who tried to smuggle heroin into Australia from Bali.
"The death penalty is barbaric wherever it's practised," Senator Brown
said.
His National party counterpart, Ron Boswell, agreed.
"I don't support capital punishment and never have... in any form," he
said.
Australian Democrats senators were disturbed by the reports, saying the
Federal Government must confirm or deny them.
"We need an unequivocal and clear statement from the Australian Government
that it doesn't support capital punishment and it will not allow Indonesia
to impose the death penalty," said Democrats senator Natasha Stott
Despoja.
Democrats leader Lyn Allison says if the reports are true, the new
sentences are very alarming.
"It's, I guess, a risk they took in appealing against their sentences. I
don't know if it was understood by them at the time, but it's very severe
if it is the case," she said.
Family First senator Steve Fielding says it would be a grave concern if
the reports were true.
"The death penalty is something Family First totally opposes," he said.
(source: The Australian)