Bali 9 Executions: The Duo Were ‘Pawns,’ Analysts Say; Pair’s Death Renews Call For Death Penalty Abolition

Days after the execution of two Australians in Indonesia, speculations surfaced pointing out that the two had no chance at all from the beginning, analysts say. The Bali Nine duo played as the government’s ‘pawns’ and on the battle against terrorism, they were collateral damage.

Bali Nine’s arrest in Indonesia, particularly the ringleaders, had something to do with the Treaty of Mutual Assistance on Criminal Matters ratified between Australia and Indonesia, according to analysts. WA Today reports the treaty requires AFP to cooperate with Indonesian authorities in criminal investigations, among others. Relying on the treaty, the AFP decided to inform the Indonesian authorities in a letter authorising the latter to “take what action they deem appropriate” should Chan be found in possession of illicit drugs.

Under Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s administration, the AFP was instructed last year to consider Australia’s opposition in death penalty in co-operating with law enforcement agencies abroad. In 2010, Brendan O’Connor, then Labor’s minister for home affairs, included Australia’s disapproval of death penalty when he issued an official ministerial directive to AFP. However, that instruction was removed in 2014 when Justice Minister Michael Keenan issued another ministerial direction.

Whether the tragic end of the Bali Nine pair was due to the omission of Mr Abbott’s directive to AFP or the latter’s own protocols is yet to be revealed. AFP has been scheduled to appear before the parliamentary.

Abolition

Australia-based attorney, Julian McMahon, revealed on Saturday, May 1, that the Bali Nine duo were pleased over the publicity they have been receiving since news had spread on their pending execution. McMahon said that Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran wanted their deaths to be meaningful.

Hours before their execution by firing squad in Nusakambangan Island, McMahon said he talked to both Chan and Sukumaran. The duo told McMahon that their death should not solely be about them but more importantly, the pair held on to the theory that their execution will be a catalyst to help other death row convicts in different places.

McMahon, a known antagonist of death penalty, confirmed that the Australian Bali Nine ringleaders led everyone in singing hymns and comforted one another while being lined up, waiting for the bullet to end their lives. He added that Chan even made a roll call to check on his other convicts.

“Andrew did a roll call, checking each one, that everyone was okay, and they were all okay,” the lawyer said, adding that all those who had been executed were fine people. McMahon went on to say that all the convicts who were put to death on April 29 were beautiful and wonderfully composed. He felt privileged in being able to observe how the prisoners dealt with their respective families, children and girlfriends.

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