This is a departure from our regular lifestyle beat, but today we feel compelled to speak out and mobilise our community. If you also feel strongly, please sign and share this petition to halt plans for the execution of Bali 9 death row prisoners, Andrew Chan and Muyuran Sukumaran.
Emotions are running high and a humanitarian outcome is sought after confirmation that the convicted ring-leaders will face execution before the end of the month.
It’s important to say up front that we don’t condone drug trafficking. They did the wrong thing, they are serving their time. But they do not deserve to face a firing squad. Nobody should have to.
Evidence from around the world has shown that the death penalty does not work to deter crimes. State sanctioned killing only serves to endorse the use of force and to continue the cycle of violence.140 countries around the world have now abolished the death penalty. Indonesia has the opportunity to become the 141st country.
If capital punishment is accepted and allowed to continue, it means that someone you love, who does something inexcusably stupid in the future, could potentially be shot at 5-10 metre range by 12 snipers. Not cool.
The outlook for the prisoners is grim after their clemency applications were rejected by an unwavering President Joko Widodo. The least we can do is help Amnesty International get over 30,000 names on their petition to spare these lives. An eleventh hour plea may be the only remaining hope.
Please, sign the petition here. Urge the Indonesian authorities to stop these executions and establish a moratorium on all executions with a view to ending the death penalty for good.
Because where there is life, there is hope.
