Australian Catholic University Offers Scholarships To Honour Executed Bali Nine Pair; But PM Finds It ‘Odd’
They say revenge is best served cold! In a similar manner, Australian Catholic University has introduced two scholarships for Indonesian students who wants to study in Australia, named after executed convicts Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.
The scholarships will be decided based on academic performances and an essay written about “the sanctity of human life”. The scholarships will also cover the entire four years’ tuition fee. “In a small but deeply symbolic way, the writing by Indonesian students on the sanctity of life would be an ongoing contribution towards the eventual abolition of the death penalty in Indonesia,” ACU vice-chancellor Greg Craven said in a statement. “The scholarships would be a fitting tribute to the reformation, courage and dignity of the two men.”
ACU that actively participated in the campaign for Bali Nine duo’s clemency, decided to honour the young men by giving two Indonesian students an opportunity to study in Australia.
In the same statement, he also said, ACU as a Catholic educational institute; are committed to promoting a culture of life and oppose the death penalty.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott responded to ACU's decision in an interview with radio station 2GB saying, the university took an "odd" step to send out their message of humanity. Though, he mentioned, "I absolutely deplore what happened this week, it casts a very deep shadow over what is normally a good relationship with Indonesia."
But, he added, "I know part of Christian faith is forgiveness, but another part of Christian faith is calling people to be their best selves."
Mr. Abbott acknowledged that the two men were regretful of their act and were rehabilitated in the prison, however, they seem to have met their fate with a kind of nobility.
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