Bali Nine Execution: Drugs, Politics, Death

This morning, I woke and reached for my handphone, as I always do. But instead of the mundane posts that I was accustomed to seeing as I scrolled Facebook every morning, I came upon an article on the execution of Bali Nine. By firing squad.

My stomach lurched.

So, a little past midnight last night, as I was soundly asleep in bed, Indonesia had put to death 8 human beings for drug trafficking, in the most inhumane way possible. No doubt, the war against drugs is real - individuals, families and nations are destroyed by drugs. But to put these men in front of a 12-men firing squad, to put a bullet straight to the heart... it is beyond me.

The death penalty in Singapore puts a condemned convict to death by hanging. I actually have not given much thought to capital punishment before this, but I have always believed that the death penalty is justifiable for those who have taken another's life AND not repented. I believe even murderers should be given a chance, to atone for their mistakes and LIVE (albeit in prison).

Aside from the fact that Bali Nine were executed by firing squad, it is to my knowledge that two of the executed eight had in fact, repented, acting as counsellors to other inmates on death row. One of them, Andrew Chan, was an ordained priest. The other, Myuran Sukumaran, who took to painting, was reported to have offered comfort and encouragement to his dear ones who were grieving over his impending death! It is human to grieve, and it takes a soul so solidly nestled in God's light, to look beyond his own death, and offer positive vibes to the people around him.

Undoubtedly, both Chan and Sukumaran knew the consequences should they get caught on Indonesian soil. And they took their chance. They were caught. Spent 10 years in an Indonesian prison, and finally put to death. Had it been that straight-cut? No. The sentencing had changed over the course of the years, it has come to light that the judge had demanded $130,000 to grant them a lighter sentence, the only female was granted last minute reprieve to assist in investigations. Indonesia has a right to maintain its  sovereignty, but all the nitty bitty details that has started trickling out points toward politics and the corruption that is rife in Indonesia.

8 lives have been lost, and Indonesia has sent out a clear message on their war with drugs.

But would this completely deter others from drug trafficking?

Does the death penalty have a place in 21st century?

How does one stand in front of another with a weapon pointing to the latter's heart, and live with it for the rest of their lives?

I shudder to imagine their last moments as they face their killers, unblindfolded.

The world needs to eradicate the issues that causes people to turn to drugs, for the answer.