Save Australians on death row in Indonesia – Amnesty International
Update 6 May 2013: Foreign Minister Bob Carr’s office has made public statements urging Indonesia to grant clemency to Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, and pledging to raise the issue again with the Indonesian Government. This is great news and we welcome Senator Carr’s statements.
It’s vital that our Government continues working through all possible means for clemency for Andrew and Myuran, and to promote the abolishment of the death penalty in our region. So we need to keep up the messages to Bob Carr and Julia Gillard, and show them that public support for this is not going away.
Send our Foreign Minister and Prime Minister a message now
Brisbane World Day Against the Death Penalty Dinner
AUSTRALIANS AGAINST CAPITAL PUNISHMENT & AUSTRALIAN LAWYERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS invite you to join us at
Date: Friday 12th October 2012
Time: 6.30pm for 7pm start
Venue: Broncos League Club
98 Fulcher Road
Red Hill Qld 4054
Cost: $80 adult, $70 student/conc.
$70 pp for group (table of 10)
Bookings: http://www.stickytickets.com.au/8634
RSVP: Fri 5 October 2012
Enquiries & bookings (plus seating/dietary needs):
Please contact Tina at Justine.hampson@gmail.com
Australians Against Capital Punishment and Australian Lawyers for Human Rights warmly invite you to this year’s dinner in commemoration of the 10th World Day Against the Death Penalty. This Day is recognised globally as a reminder of the inhumanity of the death penalty throughout the entire process, from sentence to execution.
We are delighted to announce that our guest speakers include Fr Frank Brennan SJ, AO and Lee and Christine Rush, with Stephen Keim SC as MC.
We hope you can join us to mark this important human rights event.
For more information email AACP justine.hampson@gmail.com
World Day Against the Death Penalty Dinner
On May 10, Australian Scott Rush’s death sentence was repealed and
Scott was sentenced to life imprisonment while the death sentences of
Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were upheld. Although the news
of Scott repealed death sentence is a minor triumph for human rights, the
death penalty remains a haunting reality for others of the Bali Nine and
for the global community.
It is with this sentiment in mind that AACP and ALHR warmly invite you to
this year’s dinner in commemoration of the 9th World Day Against the
Death Penalty, this year themed “The Inhumanity of the Death Penalty”.
The Day is recognised globally as a reminder of the inhumanity of the
death penalty throughout the entire process, from sentence to execution.
We are delighted to announce that our guest speakers include Julian
Burnside QC and Lee and Christine Rush, with Stephen Keim SC as
MC.
We hope you can join us to mark this important human rights event.
Details
Date: 14 October 2011
Time: 7:00pm for a 7:30pm start
Venue: Broncos League Club,
98 Fulcher Road
Red Hill Qld 4054
Cost: $80 adult, $70 student/conc.
$70 pp for group (table of 10)
Booking:
http://www.stickytickets.com.au/6304
RSVP: Friday, 7 October 2011
Enquiries: Please contact Elisa at
elisa.petranich@uqconnect.edu.au
for all enquiries
Chan holding up after failed appeal – from the ABC
By Helen Brown in Bali and staff
Friends of Bali Nine inmate Andrew Chan say he is holding up well after learning his bid for a reprieve from the death penalty has been rejected.
Chan’s girlfriend was one of several shocked visitors to see the Australian this morning.
Chan has been on death row in Bali’s Kerobokan jail for more than five years now.
His girlfriend was too distressed to talk, but Melbourne-based friend Sally Warhaft, who spent three hours with him in the prison’s cramped visitor’s facility, says Chan’s biggest concern is for his family.
“I know his parents and I know how incredibly painful [it is] for Andrew… what they’re going through,” she said.
Full story here.
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd’s Statement on Scott Rush
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Hon. Kevin Rudd MP
Statement on Indulgence – Mr Scott Rush
I wish to inform the House that our Ambassador in Indonesia has informed me that the Indonesian Supreme Court has today accepted Scott Rush’s appeal against his death sentence and have instead sentenced him to life.
Australians will greet this decision with relief.
The Australian Government welcomes this decision by the Supreme Court.
It is a bipartisan policy in this country that we oppose the death penalty.
The Government remains in close touch with Mr Rush and his family.
Mr Rush’s parents have been informed.
As parents, they have shouldered a heavy burden over these years of waiting.
There are of course another two Australians on death row in Indonesia and Mr Chan and Mr Sukumaran have also lodged judicial appeals against their death sentences.
We will continue to provide consular support to both men and their families.
Madam Deputy Speaker, having spoken to the Rush family who come from Brisbane, on a number of occasions over the last period of time, I’m sure the family will welcome this decision with great relief.
“The Condemned” – SBS Dateline, Sunday November 14th
On Sunday’s Dateline, two of the Bali Nine speak publicly for the first time… just days ahead of final hearings on whether their death sentences for drug trafficking will be carried out.
Mark Davis has gained exclusive access to Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan in the ‘death tower’ at Indonesia’s Kerobokan Prison.
They talk openly about their lives then and now, what they think of their crimes, and the prospect of facing death by firing squad.
Mark also hears first-hand of the heartache for their families back in Australia, as they wait to hear if their pleas for clemency will be granted.
WATCH – See this special edition of Dateline on Sunday at 8.30pm on SBS ONE.
LIVE CHAT – Mark Davis will be online after Sunday’s program to answer questions about his story. Click here to find out how to take part in our live chat.
For more information, go to the Dateline homepage, or tune in on Sunday at 8.30pm
Rush a mere courier, Keelty tells court (ABC)
By Indonesia correspondent Matt Brown
Former Australian Federal Police (AFP) commissioner Mick Keelty has testified Scott Rush was only a minor player in the drug smuggling ring that landed him on death row in Indonesia.
Rush was one of four Australians among the so-called Bali Nine arrested for trying to smuggle heroin through Denpasar Airport in 2005.
His parents looked on today as Mr Keelty told the court hearing Rush’s final appeal against execution that he was not on the AFP’s radar before that fateful drug run.
“He did not know or understand, in my opinion, what the roles of the other people were,” Mr Keelty said.
“His role was a very minimal one.”
Full article here.
Rush case rekindles memories of past executions – from the ABC
By Matt Brown for Correspondents Report
Bali Nine drug smuggler Scott Rush launched his last court appeal against the death penalty in Bali last week.
His argument rests on the fact he was not a major player in the ring and, therefore, does not deserve to die.
ABC Indonesia correspondent Matt Brown was in the court and found himself thinking about the lives he has seen lost and past court-ordered executions.
Full story at the ABC here.
Scott Rush’s final appeal begins today
Everyone from AACP sends their best wishes to Scott’s family and the families of all those facing execution around the world.
From the ABC:
“Convicted Bali Nine drug smuggler Scott Rush is set to launch his final appeal against a death sentence, as other Australian drug smugglers receive small cuts to their 20-year jail terms.”
Read more.
Hearsay article about AACP’s Upcoming dinner with David Marr
World Day Against the Death Penalty – 8 October 2010
David Marr will be the guest speaker at a dinner to mark World Day Against the Death Penalty in Brisbane on 8 October 2010.
Stephen Keim SC, the President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, recently said that “the dinner will be an excellent way to mark the World Day”.
The dinner will be held at the Rydges South Bank Hotel in Brisbane and is being organised by Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) and Aussies Against Capital Punishment (AACP).
Full article here.
Flyer for AACP/ALHR dinner October 8th
