One of the ambulances carrying a coffin of one of the executed leaving Wijaya Pura in Cilacap. Photo: James Brickwood
Sadness and anger are competing with blame and determination for change among the passionate responses on social media to the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.
Underpinning the debate is a central question: What to do now?
Coffins leaving Wijaya Pura in Cilacap after the executions on Nusakambangan. Photo: James Brickwood
A backlash against Indonesia had been brewing for some time, but following the state-sanctioned killings, attention has shifted to the consequences that could be imposed on authorities in that country and at home.
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Anger and disbelief were directed not only at the execution itself but the process, which appeared to be engineered for maximum spectacle and hurt. Ambulances with see-through windows took the bodies from Calicap, with coffins in full view.
According to reports, it took 27 minutes for the authorities to confirm the eight prisoners were dead.
A midnight candle light vigul held at Wijaya Pura in Cilacap on the day of the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran. Photo: James Brickwood
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said that "as a close friend of Indonesia, Australia is deeply hurt that our pleas for mercy were ignored".
Greens senator Penny Wright said the campaign to abolish the death penalty worldwide must continue.
Australian Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs said it was a sad day for human rights. "May the tragic executions of Andrew & Myuran stimulate an end to the death penalty throughout Asia," she tweeted.
And around the world, those opposed to the death penalty said the execution of eight people for drug offences should be used as a lightning rod in a renewed fight against capital punishment.
But even in death, the debate about the sympathy and coverage extended to Chan and Sukumaran raged on. Herald reader Sarah Seeto commented on Facebook: "This is ridiculous, they were drug dealers. How many lives did they murder by frivolously selling and distributing drugs?! They knew the consequences by crossing over to that country. They weren't saints or Hero's [sic], they were criminals."
Much of the discussion on social media focused on what, if anything, Australians and Australian authorities should do in retaliation for the executions.
At a joint press conference, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop announced the first diplomatic consequence: the withdrawal of the Australian ambassador to Indonesia, Paul Grigson.
"We respect Indonesia's sovereignty but we do deplore what's been done and this cannot be simply business as usual," Mr Abbott said.
Other ideas about how to "register our displeasure" - to use Ms Bishop's parlance - have circulated on social media and in other quarters.
At a vigil in Sydney on Tuesday night, leading human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson said Australia should redirect aid from Indonesia to Nepal.
But not all agreed with Mr Robertson's suggestion that aid should be withdrawn.
Ms Bishop said on Wednesday morning that Australia's aid budget to Indonesia would be dealt with separately.
Many people are now demanding the Australian Federal Police be held accountable for their role in the deaths of Chan and Sukumaran. The federal police tipped off the Indonesian police about the activities of the Bali nine, including names and flight details.
Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton has previously indicated the organisation would have more to say about its involvement in the case once Chan and Sukumaran's final clemency pleas were dealt with.
"The AFP does not have blood on its hands," he said in February.
Federal police guidelines now require police to consider whether sharing intelligence would put Australians at risk of being subjected to the death penalty.
Asked about the role of the federal police in apprehending Chan and Sukumaran, Ms Bishop said on Wednesday: "I don't believe today is the time to be looking for recriminations."
Some people are also advocating a travel boycott of Indonesia, including the popular holiday destination of Bali - a prospect Ms Bishop has previously said would be likely if the executions proceeded.
A Facebook page titled "Boycott Bali for The Boys" has now accrued almost 10,000 fans. The commentary on the page on Wednesday ranged from the overtly hostile to the more philosophical.
"Indonesia can go f--- themselves as far as I'm concerned," said one user, Rose Evans. "They voted in the murderer so now they can reap what they sow. No more aid and no more support to this barbaric corrupt country."
But another user, Kai Lewis, posted: "I just worry that the innocent people of Indonesia are going to suffer for this. Many of them supported the executions but what information did these people really receive? Cutting aid to people who are in dire need is no way to remember these boys."
Source: Top Stories - Google News - http://ift.tt/1DUJlOR
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