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The Forum > Article Comments > Bali Nine - a mass execution of Australians? > Comments

Bali Nine - a mass execution of Australians? : Comments

By Mirko Bagaric, published 7/9/2006

Bali Nine - Australia tipped off Indonesian police so Australia should have a role in deciding the ultimate outcome of the case.

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I don’t know what precise combination of naive stupidity and greed motivated the actions of the Bali 9, but mules are rarely just avaricious or dumb. The terrible stakes for what is a pathetically poor payoff (a few thousand bucks at most) makes a career as an international drug courier through Asia an extremely unattractive career choice for all but the most desperate or ignorant.

For many the story begins with drug or gambling debts, followed by loan sharking and stand over and threats by some extremely unpleasant individuals. I don’t know to what extent this applied to any of the Bali 9, but some of them look to me like not-too-bright kids who have got in way over their heads with a particularly nasty form of global business. I’ve seen lots of kids get sucked into the criminal world: for many, escape gets more and more difficult the deeper they go. By the time they realize how trapped they are it’s too late. That’s no excuse for their actions, of course, but I’ve been stunned by the lack of compassion from some posters on this string.

I can understand that the Indonesian people and their government are less than thrilled by the idea of their country becoming an international narcotics trafficking crossroads, and I acknowledge how important it is for them to be seen to be taking the problem seriously. But I agree with Mirko here: proportionality in penalty seems to be taking a back seat to political considerations. Most of these kids appear to be very minor players in the global drug trade. Unfortunately, they are seen as both expendable and very, very replaceable.
Posted by Snout, Saturday, 9 September 2006 5:44:28 PM
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All of this has to be seen in the context of the "blind eye' turned to drug sales on the streets of Bali.

If police and law authorities cracked down on this, then one could conclude that the Indonesians were serious about drug sales and use.

But its much easier to show you are serious with a harsh judgement by a few judges, especially when it will be apopular decision in Indonesia, than it is to clamp down on widespred official corruption.
Posted by last word, Saturday, 9 September 2006 6:30:23 PM
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I agree with snout. What a bunch of uncompassionate people. Have any of you made a mistake when you where young? It is unbelieveable. The world should be warned about visiting countries that kill young impressable people. I do believe that they should be punished for their crimes but not with their lives at such a young age. All this will do I hope is warn people not to visit such savage places. 'Keep away' And again this is proven with the lighter sentence of the Bali bombers. It's a corrupt place all ready. I am on the otherside of the world always wondering what is on the other side - no longer do I want to go there or wonder. Not with so many heartless people. These young people are so young and probably did not know the harsh consequences of their action in that country. We need to warn the World.
Posted by gadget girl, Wednesday, 11 October 2006 4:44:57 PM
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Don't see anyone protesting the execution of Saddam Hussein - capital punishment is just that no matter who or where - me thinks double standards and hypocrisy.
Posted by hagen meri, Saturday, 30 December 2006 1:23:43 PM
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