It doesn't look good for the Bali 9

http://www.theguardian.com/world/li...han-myuran-sukumaran-executed-indonesia-mercy

I know that the debate on the death penalty divides opinions on here and that's healthy when it leads to a constructive debate.

I personally cannot see how this tortuous process to the families of the guilty can be right or humane. It gives me a sick feeling in my stomach just to imagine what they are going through.

I'm sure that it will be pointed out with validity that the guilty understood the penalties when they perpetrated the crime.

 

But the people who have put the families in that situation are the drug smugglers who, as you say, knew the laws and penalties when they chose to commit the crimes. In some countries if you steal you have your hands cut off. Its barbaric but guess what, I'll make sure I don't steal anything in those countries. I won't go and empty a shop then complain when I can't **** anymore

 

I know and in some countries they stone people to death for adultery. Not civilized countries though.

You are right, I can't argue that one.

 

Totally agree. They knew the crime and will be duly punished. However the problem is when someone innocent, as regularly seen, is either deliberately set up or found guilty through a miscarriage of justice. Very hard to apologise to a dead person if a mistake is made.

 

In other words, any punishment us legal if you know what it is beforehand. Which us ******* nonsense.

 

It is legal within the country in which the offence took place.

I happen to find the death penalty repulsive though.

 

Not civilized countries though.

No in civilized countries pensioners are beaten within an inch of their lives for a few pounds; young women can be raped and murdered simply for being young women; and innocent citizens can be treated like thugs by the police.

Isn't it wonderful being civilized?

 

Aye, but on the grand scheme of things it doesn't happen very often in the UK, which is why it is deemed extremely newsworthy when it does.

 

These crimes aren't committed by the state in the name of justice however. You're comparing apples to pears.

 

Happened in this country too until recently, just in a different way. Alan Turing.

 

Death by firing squad has just been brought back in in some parts of the US

 

Only because they can't get the drugs for lethal injection.

 

Does that make it any more justifiable?

 

No I'm just pointing out that it is the reason why.

 

Well they took eight people out one by one. Tied their hands and feet, put a paper target on their chest and shot them.

Will it act as a deterrent ? Probably not but it made a head of state look strong in front of his people.

The females sentence was stayed on the basis of a confession by her 'boss'

 

If they were genuinely guilty then I've got no sympathy as I'm sure they'll have known the law & if they didn't they should've.

However, dragging it out for 10 years is disgusting & must be a nightmare for relatives, the not knowing of their fate must be unbearable.

And I do wonder about the guilt of some, I've no doubt there's lots smuggling but I'm sure there's some innocent people that get mixed up in it & it's hard to imagine a fair trial