Australians awoke this morning to the news that Bali Nine ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have been executed by gunfire in Indonesia.
UPDATE 11.40am: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has updated its advice to Indonesia after the execution of the two Australian men.
The government agency is urging Australians travelling to the country, including Bali, to exercise a ‘high degree of caution’ due to the high threat of terrorist attack.
They’re also advising Australians be aware of Indonesian law and the risks before travelling.
“You should also be aware of the severe penalties for narcotics offences, including the death penalty; some specific health risks; and risks associated with natural disasters.”
DFAT
Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson has taken to Twitter to share his thoughts on the situation and the ‘barbaric’ act of execution.
Shattered by executions in Indonesia, despite global calls for clemency http://t.co/6p64jMAFag#IStandForMercypic.twitter.com/SFTzYqXHXq
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) April 28, 2015
The death penalty is cruel, barbaric, inhumane & has no place in the world http://t.co/6p64jMAFag#IStandForMercypic.twitter.com/yUX7M5Ra0R
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) April 28, 2015
Meanwhile, the hashtag #BoycottBali has taken off online, with many travellers swearing to never travel to Indonesia or the popular island of Bali.
The hashtag started after a former fellow inmate of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran at Kerobokan Prison said the withdrawal of an Australian ambassador in Indonesia (see update below) was ‘pointless’, and Australia needed to express its anger by hitting Indonesia’s finances.
Australia is a large tourism market for the country, as the fourth largest international arrivals, following Singapore, Malaysia and China.
In 2012, 961,595 Australians visited Indonesia. A rise from 771,792 in 2010.
The former Indonesian prisoner, Paul Conibeer was arrested in August 2012 when he was unable to pay for his hotel bill upon check-out.
He says he had lost his wallet and mobile phone while on holiday.
He spent 10 months inside the prison with the Bali Nine ringleaders.
“The only thing Indonesia understands is money, and if we start taking dollars away from them it will hurt them. Losing tourism will hit them hard and I would encourage all Australians not to go to Bali. Go to Thailand instead and fly right over that country.”
Paul Conibeer
Travellers are supporting the hashtag on Twitter, while others feel the Indonesian people shouldn’t be punished for the actions of the government.
You gave them 10 years rehabilitation and took their lives away. I know 1 place il never visit, condolences to the family #BoycottIndonesia
— Kirra (@KirraBeckley) April 28, 2015
I will honestly never visit Indonesia and I hope others take the same stance. Corruption and hypocrisy on a grand scale. #BoycottIndonesia
— Brad Marks (@BradMarks_1) April 29, 2015
So #BoycottIndonesia is trending for executing 9 criminals. Where’s #BoycottSingapore or #BoycottUSA? https://t.co/ZjVQ2HrFrn #Auspol #Bali9
— Winston Khong (@windyrecruits) April 29, 2015
If we’re going to #BoycottIndonesia for the death penalty, we need to #BoycottAustralia for the detention of children. #HumanRights
— Lesley Hancock (@Bubblywinx) April 29, 2015
UPDATE 8.15am: This morning Toby Abbott has revealed the consequence of the executions would be the withdrawal of Australia’s ambassador to Indonesia.
Speaking at a press conference in Canberra this morning, the Prime Minister described the executions as ‘cruel and unnecessary’, before announced the removal of the ambassador.
“We respect Indonesia’s sovereignty, but we do not deplore what’s been done and this cannot be simply business as usual.”
Tony Abbott, Australian Prime Minister
“For that reason, once all the courtesies have been extended to the Chan and Sukumaran families our ambassador will be withdrawn for consultations.
“I want to stress that this is a very important relationship between Australia and Indonesia, but it has suffered as a result of what’s been done over the last few hours.”
ORIGINAL STORY 7.15am: The fate of the convicted drug smugglers was confirmed overnight by Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office, which told the Jakarta Post that executions went ahead with ‘no disruptions’.
“We’ve carried out the executions. The executions went well, without any disruptions.”
Indonesia Attorney General’s Office
The two men have spent the last decade in an Indonesian prison after they were found guilty of attempting to smuggle heroine to Australia.
They were two of nine convicted for the attempted drug smuggling, however, as ring leaders were sentenced to death.
The rest group are either serving life in prison or facing a number of years behind bars. In the months leading up to last night’s execution, the boys and their lawyers had hope an Indonesia court would overturn the death sentence at several appeals.
All appeals were denied and at midnight in Indonesia last night the two men along with six others were executed at gunpoint on Nusakambangan island.
Todung Mulya Lubis, one of the lawyers acting on behalf of the two men, took to Twitter to confirm the news and share an emotional post.
I failed. I lost. — Todung Mulya Lubis (@TodungLubis) April 28, 2015
I am sorry — Todung Mulya Lubis (@TodungLubis) April 28, 2015
Addressing media this morning, Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop said Australia’s consular general was in Indonesia now identifying the bodies.
She said the rehabilitation of the pair was not taken into account and assured the “bodies would be treated with appropriate dignity and respect”.
Politicians and even some of Australia’s well-known actors have labelled their deaths as “merciless”.
Meanwhile, Australians have renewed calls for a boycott on travel to Bali – a tourist destination popular amongst Australian travellers.
Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, says there will have to be consequences. Image: ausnewsde / Shutterstock.com
A boycott from Australians to Indonesia would impact on local tourism and economy, as currently Aussies are the country’s fourth largest international market, following Singapore, Malaysia and China.
In 2012, 961,595 Australians visited Indonesia. A rise from 771,792 in 2010.
The ‘Ban on Bali’ campaign started on social media in February this year, when news of the executions first came to made media headlines.
Australians are so disappointed by the Indonesian government, that one even left a note on the fence of the Indonesian consulate this morning.
Some Australian say they will never travel to the destination after their executions:
All Australians should show their disdain of Indonesia’s actions. #BoycottIndonesia #boycottbali #barbaric #IStandForMercy — Stephen Bolger (@stephenjbolger) April 28, 2015
Others say the Indonesians should have to be punished for the actions of their government:
Please DONT Boycott Bali ,The People Of Bali rely on your $’s ,they dont support the Javanese Govt -Pls email protest to Indo Govt #Bali9 — Lost in Poker (@LostInPoker) April 28, 2015
Some went after the Indonesian President, giving him nicknames like ‘dildo’ and calling him weak:
Indonesian Pres Joko Widodo @jokowi_do2 – you are a heartless, weak, small man. You’re a murderer. Shame on you & your country #BoycottBali — Jorian Gardner (@JorianGardner) April 28, 2015
Someone’s child, someone’s brother! Who gives Mr Dildo the right to take someone’s life #BoycottIndonesia #Bali9 pic.twitter.com/o1iOjmeoEt — Assyrian (@ashooretah) April 28, 2015
While others wonder if they will actually go ahead with the ban and whether Indonesia even cares:
Wonder if Australia, outraged by imminent executions, will boycott their beloved Bali. And whether Jakarta would even care? — Jerome Taylor (@JeromeTaylor) April 28, 2015