In death, Australia's drug-smuggling pair become celebrated cause

English.news.cn, Matt Walsh,   2015-04-29

Bodies of executed Australian drug smugglers return home from Indonesia http://t.co/G3fyqmQU1s (AFP file pic) pic.twitter.com/7oqgWQoGrr

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) 2 mei 2015

CANBERRA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The execution in Bali on Wednesday morning of Australian drug-smuggling pair Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran brings to a close one of the most hotly- debated social justice issues in recent Australian media.

Detained in Denpasar attempting to smuggle heroin back into Australia ten years ago, the pair's case developed into a cause celebre as time went on, dominating media coverage when any snippet of news - positive or otherwise - emerged out of Kerobokan jail.

The pair was sentenced to death in 2006 for attempting to smuggle eight kilograms of heroin out of Bali.

While their cause received muted support initially, campaigning efforts were stepped up markedly when it became apparent they were not just repentant but actively trying to improve their lives in prison.

And when, in February, Indonesian authorities signed papers approving the pair's move to Nusakambangan Island, where death-row prisoners are sent for execution, the campaign for clemency in Australia went into overdrive.

Political figures began to plead with new Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his administration. Widodo dismissed any protests from Australian government officials, signaling that the death penalty in Indonesia was "still the law" and there would be no amnesty for the Australians.

But relentless bipartisan support was thrown behind the pair, and the Australian press was persistent in its efforts to secure a reprieve for Chan and Sukumaran. Television current affairs programs made much of their efforts at rehabilitation while inside prison.

Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop worked tirelessly to persuade the Indonesian government for leniency. Prime Minister Tony Abbott labeled the decision to carry out the executions as "revolting" and publicly stated that "millions of Australians are sick to their guts" as the end drew closer for Chan and Sukumaran. There were veiled threats that Australians would boycott Bali as a tourist destination.

Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek even gave an emotional speech in Australian parliament in March, detailing the personal experience of her husband - who was convicted of drug smuggling - touching on what might have become of her family had he been caught somewhere else.

The case of the Bali nine duo was as momentous as it was perplexing in Australia. The public increasingly came to believe these convicted drug smugglers, the sort of people Australians seldom had sympathy for, had redeemed themselves.

The men had spent a decade inside a Balinese prison, where they had taken huge steps towards total rehabilitation.

Chan led English classes for fellow inmates, and was ordained as a pastor and held church services in prison. He also attained a theology degree after studying while incarcerated.

Sukumaran became an established artist and was a holder of a fine arts degree. He was tutored inside Kerobokan by well-known Australian artist Ben Quilty, a former Archibald Prize winner, and his works began to win widespread acclaim.

Both men were described as model people and mentors to other inmates. The governor of the prison even testified in court try and ensure their release from death row. They were held up as a glowing example of the redemptive powers of the prison system.

The Australian people will never know what could have become of the men had they been given another ten years to rehabilitate.

Some of the blame for their predicament has been aimed squarely at the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The law enforcement agency made the decision to alert Indonesian authorities to the drug smuggling ring instead of waiting for the group to return to Australia.

The offense carries the death penalty in Indonesia and many other countries, but Australia outlawed capital punishment decades ago. The last man hanged in Australia was in 1967.

AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty faced criticism for the decision not to let the group return to Australia to be tried and convicted on Australian soil, where the maximum penalty for any crime is life imprisonment.

In the days leading up to the pair's execution, it wasn't just public vigils and politicians' pleas that surfaced in the media. World-renowned actors took to social media to urge the government to take stronger action.

Geoffrey Rush, Guy Pearce, Deborah Mailman, Joel Edgerton and Tasma Walton were among the throng of local celebrities that called upon Tony Abbott to do more. Actor Brendan Cowell told Abbott to "man up."

Of course there are different voices. One netizen tweeted the ABC saying that Australian media have made heroes if these two convicted criminals.

But all efforts were rendered futile on Wednesday when the Indonesian government finally carried out the executions.

Poignantly, the shots fired at 4 am on April 29 which killed Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, only breathed further life into debate surrounding of one of the most gripping social justice issues in recent Australian history.

The opposition's Finance Minister, Tony Burke, tweeted four words after the grim news from Indonesia: "Lives lost. Nothing gained."

And that seemed to reflect the prevailing, somber public mood in Australia on Wednesday morning.

Editor: ying