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"Both cruel and unnecessary": Australia reacts to the Bali executions.

The world has begun to react to the executions of eight prisoners including Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in Indonesia overnight.

Read: Vale, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

Speaking hours before the executions, Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop said she was “deeply disturbed” by Indonesia’s handling of the matter and warned there “will have to be consequences”.

Ms Bishop and Prime Minister Tony Abbott followed up with a press conference this morning.

“Australia deeply deeply regrets these executions in Indonesia,” calling them “both cruel and unnecessary,” Mr Abbott said.

He confirmed that Australia’s ambassador will be withdrawn from Indonesia for consultations and that ministerial contacts have been suspended “for some time”, and they would remain suspended “for a period”.

Tony Abbott called the executions “both cruel and unnecessary”.

 

“Whatever people think of the death penalty, whatever people think of drug crime, the fact is these families have suffered a terrible tragfedy and I’m sure every Australians thoughts and prayers will be with those families at this time,” Mr Abbott said.

He added, however, that “is important the relationship between the Australian government and the Indonesian government will continue”.

“We do not want to make a difficult situation worse, and the relationships between Indonesia is important, remains important and will become more important as time comes by.”

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop called the executions “senseless” in this morning’s press conference.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop called the executions “senseless”.

She said she had been in contact with the families of Chan and Sukumaran overnight.”They are in a devastating position,” she said.

She expressed her dismay that the apparent rehabilitation of Chan and Sukumaran was not taken into account by the Indonesian government.

“Both were spending their time in jail helping to reform and improve the lives of other prisoners,” she said.

She added that Australia would repatriate the bodies, and that she hoped they would be treated with dignity and respect.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten this morning also released a joint statement with shadow Foreign Minister Tanya Plibersek saying:

“Labor condemns the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in the strongest possible terms.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to all who mourn the loss of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.”

“A decade ago, these two young men made a dreadful mistake. By all accounts they spent every minute since seeking to mend their ways and to steer others on the road to redemption. Proof the justice system could reform wrongdoers, not just punish wrongdoing.”


Greens Leader Christine Milne said: “The lives of these two Australians have been ended by firing squad at the direction of the Indonesian government. We in Australia must continue to advocate for an end to capital punishment.”

Friends and family react

The brother of Andrew Chan, Michael expressed his sorrow on social media saying “I have just lost a courageous brother to a flawed Indonesian legal system” I miss you already RIP”.

Thee families of Sukumaran and  Chan also released the following statement following the executions:

“Today we lost Myuran and Andrew,” the statement said, according to Fairfax Media.

“Our sons, our brothers. In the ten years since they were arrested, they did all they could to make amends, helping many others.”

The family said they asked for mercy, but there was none.

“They were immensely grateful for all the support they received. We too, will be forever grateful.”

The lawyer for the men, Todung Mulya Lubis also tweeted his sorrow with a devastating simple statement “I failed. I lost. “

The Mercy Campaign who have worked tirelessly trying to secure clemency for the two men posted a tribute to the men.

Amnesty International released a statement shortly after the executions saying: “The world has watched on as this theatre of cruelty played out, with this most tragic of endings. It did not have to come to this. The death penalty is never the answer.”

#BoycottIndonesia

Meanwhile, furious Australians are calling for Australians to boycott Indonesia following the executions.

Hundreds take to social media to urging people to #BoycottIndonesia, while a Facebook group called ‘Boycott Bali for the Boys‘ has almost 10,000 members.

An Australian manufacturer posted online: “Everyone (at work) is in agreement and has taken 2 weeks unpaid leave as we begin cancelling our manufacturing in Indonesia and begin re-tooling to manufacture in the Philippines.”

The movement has been backed by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who told 3AW radio on Friday: “I think the Australian people will demonstrate their deep disapproval of this action, including by making decisions about where they wish to holiday”.

An organisation representing schoolies across Australia says it will not book trips to Bali this year for school-leavers.

Dominic Mapstone from The National Schoolies Site said the organisation would not facilitate trips to Bali in the wake of the executions overnight, Fairfax Media reports.

“We will engage in discussions with young people who had planned to travel to Bali this year, and recommend other destinations,” he said.

A change.org petition has also been circulating online, calling to Boycott Bali. While the campaign commenced prior to the executions, it currently has more than 600 signatures.

It states: “By signing this petition you are showing support for them as well as showing that we will crush Indonesia’s tourism income and make them suffer which should in turn have their death penalty laws reviewed.”

Some social media reactions (post continues after gallery):

‘Bloody hands’

Brisbane tabloid the Courier Mail released a special 4am edition featuring the front-page headline ‘BLOODY HANDS’ — alongside a Photoshopped image of Indonesian President Joko Widodo with blood on his hands.

Photos from the Keep Hope Alive vigil in Sydney: