Bali and the death penalty

[Ghostdunks]

Is it just me? Or is the whole " travel to Bali with drugs hidden in your luggage and not expect to get caught " thing not sinking in?
Another UK grandmother has just been delivered to death row for smuggling drugs.
What I find amazing is that I understand drugs are openly available when you get there.

I won't travel to Bali ( or anywhere in Indonesia for that matter) as my own small protest against the death penalty. While me withholding my meager travel budget from Indonesia makes no difference. It at least is a moral stand for me ( and I suspect a number of others)
I once traveled on Garuda ( not booked by me, and when I realized it was too late to change ) and this assistance to the Indonesian economy galled me as well .

Anyway I would be interested to know how those who do travel to Bali ( and plent of Aussies do so) Reconcile the treatment of those in prison there with their own expectations of decency and human rights. And stil feel it's a good idea to go.

I travel to Bali, and I have no problem reconciling the treatment of people in prison there with my expectations of decency and human rights. Pretty much, most people who are convicted to spend time in prison there have done something to deserve it, and for me, if you break society's laws, you are no longer privy to the human rights afforded to normal members of society as you decided to live beyond the laws of society. May be harsh, but that's my opinion. Beyond keeping them basically alive, I don't feel the need for them to be treated any better or what they feel is appropriate for them. Also, its their country, their laws. Break them at your peril. I don't know why some people break laws in overseas countries and when caught, expect to be treated like they broke them in their home country.

I grew up as a child in Malaysia and from school age onwards, we were bombarded with the message that if we trafficked drugs, hell hath no mercy on you, and you will most likely be sentenced to death. Regardless if you were native, from overseas, whatever, it was drummed into you that if you broke the drug laws, you were going to pay... I know fully well the consequences and for me, if anyone violates those laws, they should be subject to the punishment.

also, with regard to this particular case, I've read some articles which have alleged that this grandmother was more than a one time courier who got busted on her first time, and was forced to do it. Alleged that she was quite well known to the Bali local drug scene as a courier/trafficker. "Snowing in Bali" was one of the books quoted. I haven't read it, and I read this in dailymail.co.uk(not exactly a bastion of journalism), so take it with a grain of salt. So she may not be as innocent or culpable as initially reported.

 

[james4321]

Pretty much, most people who are convicted to spend time in prison there have done something to deserve it ......... if you break society's laws, you are no longer privy to the human rights afforded to normal members of society

Monsieur Javert I presume ??

 

[Geegeela]

Pretty much, most people who are convicted to spend time in prison there have done something to deserve it ......... if you break society's laws, you are no longer privy to the human rights afforded to normal members of society

Monsieur Javert I presume ??

Well certainly not Jean Valjean.

There don't seem to be many Portia's around either.

 

[Ghostdunks]

Pretty much, most people who are convicted to spend time in prison there have done something to deserve it ......... if you break society's laws, you are no longer privy to the human rights afforded to normal members of society

Monsieur Javert I presume ??

Perhaps, and I expected some reaction of this sort, which is why I said it was harsh, but its my opinion. I never claim to be perfect, but I try not break any laws, moral or legal. For the others who like to think they are beyond those laws and live like it, you are right, I have no compassion for them. This wasn't an accidental trafficking of drugs, she knowingly did it.

I'm also the sort of person who believes a person's home is their castle, and if someone was to try and burgle or enter my house with evil motives, then I will always seek to disable/maim them before they have a chance to do it to me or my family in my home. If I do so, and a judge decides I committed a crime in doing so, then I will disagree with that decision, and its here that I think there may be a grey area between what is legal and not legal, but that's a whole different topic altogether. When it comes to anything to do with the trafficking of drugs, I don't see the grey area and offenders get what they deserve.

If you feel that people who have committed crimes should be treated better, then you are a much better person than I am when it comes to my fellow man