Cynthia Banham; 21/10/08 (2 Items)
Divisions are emerging in the Federal Government over Labor’s stance on the death penalty as execution day for the Bali bombers approaches. Concerns are growing that the failure of the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, to articulate a consistent position on Australia’s opposition to the death penalty - regardless of nationality or crime - could jeopardise the chances of achieving clemency for the Australians on death row in Indonesia. Earlier this month Mr Rudd said the Bali bombers, who may be executed this week, “deserve the justice that we delivered to them”. The issue was brought up in caucus last week by Duncan Kerr, the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs.
See: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/alp-split-on-death-penalty-stance/2008/10/20/1224351155171.html
Firing squad not torture, says court
Tom Allard; 22/10/08
Indonesia’s highest court has ruled that death by firing squad does not amount to torture. Rejecting an appeal launched by the men facing execution for the bombings in Bali in 2002, the judge observed that there was “no method of execution without pain”. In the Constitutional Court, Judge Mohammad Mahfud denied the application of Mukhlas, Amrozi and Imam Samudra to be killed by the traditional Islamic method of beheading. “The feeling of pain suffered by those convicted of the death penalty is the logical consequence attached to the process of death,” he said.
See: http://www.theage.com.au/world/firing-squad-not-torture-says-court-20081021-55hx.html
