The two Australians involved (Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan) are now just hours away from execution.
I cannot help but feel incredible sympathy for their family (the people who did not commit any crime) who were again today treated with such disrespect whilst trying to spend their last moments with their Sons. To see what they were unnecessarily subjected to in relation to making their way in and out of the prison defies humanity and was reprehensible. They were forced to go through a horrific gauntlet. A gauntlet of cameras, security people and dogs nipping at their heels and that of the Australian Consulate General. All for the show. The Indonesian Authorities should have taken control and offered assistance to at least let them retain some dignity.
The show of arrogance and indifference that Joko Widodo and the Indonesian Government have relentlessly shown around their case towards the Australian Government has been repulsive. Just a few of the many examples...
-The 72 hours notice given on
ANZAC Day despite requests from my Government to please not announce it on this
one day.
-Indonesian Police Officers taking smiling "selfies" with Chan and Sukamaran whilst they were being transported to Nusakambangan prison (Execution Island.)
-The ridiculous levels taken whilst transporting Chan and Sukamaran to Execution Island that were not applied to any of the other Non Australian Prisoners transported there who will be executed at the same time. The others were transported fuss free and with very minimal security, unlike the two Australians who had seperate armoured vehicles for the two, hundreds of Police Officers, the flight being escorted by Russian-made Sukhoi jets, helicopters etc. The prison governor has described Chan and Sukumaran as model prisoners and testified in court that they should not be executed because of the positive influence they have had over other prisoners and that both men have fully rehabilitated in the 10 years they have spent in Jail. Why then the ridiculous circus fanfare that was reserved for them only?
-Time and Time again, Widodo has refused to speak to the Australian Prime Minister. The Prime Minister of a Country who gives them 600 million in aid each year.
-There are allegations that the Justice is corrupt and that the very Justices who decided that these men should die wanted a bribe before doing so.
The Australian Government is not guilty of any crime, neither are Chan and Sukamaran's family. Perhaps our Indonesian "friends" - specifically Joko Widodo should remember that. The way they have handled this is beyond disgraceful.