I feel I have to voice something over this.
...THE justice system that gave a terrorist leader two years' jail for his part in the Bali bombing yesterday sentenced Schapelle Corby to 20 years for smuggling cannabis...
www.dailytelegraph.com.au
Yesterday most Australians I know sat near a radio or television to hear the outcome of Schapelle Corby's drug trial.
How a woman caught with cannabis (in circumstances that led to a great deal of doubt as to whether the drugs even belonged to her) could receive a sentence 10 times that of an accused terrorist, is beyond the comprehension of those people reading, watching and following this woman's plight.
It is certainly way beyond my comprehension.
There is something about the Corby case, and the injustice of it that hurts on a personal level, particularly in the wake of a great deal of generosity shown post the Boxing Day Tsunami, by our nation towards the country now prosecuting her.
Not that I am suggesting that just because of that, all drug trafficking should be allowed and never frowned upon, I am just angry at the lack of compassion shown in this particular and rather unique case.
In a world where people get less time behind bars for killing innocents than someone found with a few kilograms of pot I have to think that we've gone completely crazy.
If nothing, the entire ordeal showcases the insidious nature of humans, and unfortunately does little but make me all the more cynical about societies in general.
I wish only the best for Schapelle in her appeal, and hope somewhere along the line reason and justice will see the light of day.
On behalf of a nation outraged, may Schapelle's prayers be answered...
On behalf of a nation outraged.
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You know what the saddest part of this is? It proves either the world has gone completely mad .. or we are for thinking it has..
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(¸.·´(¸.·¤hims/Lisa -
You have made an excellent point here I think. Not too big on pot, but even less into terrorism. My I am picky one aren't I? Now then, I totally agree with you and this is an outrage of sorts. The injustice of the situation is flooring. And as Adrian said: Eloquent as always.
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This is one of those times when I wish I had some power...just a little bit, just enough to set screwed situations like this right.
trick -
:tips hat:
Speaking your mind as eloquently as always. adrian -
The people who received a few years jail were convicted of being a member of an organization, which was deemed to be illegal, nothing more. The people in Indonesia who were sentenced for involvement in the Bali nightclub bombing were mostly sentenced to death with a few receiving very heavy jail sentences. Some of those sentences have been dramatically altered under the Indonesian Appeal system. The Indonesian appeal system is now also available to Shapelle Corby.
In Australia, international crime co-operation will only be undertaken when the sentence for the offence committed and involving the co-operation does not involve the death penalty, it is written as such into Australian law.
In the case of Shapelle Corby the death penalty did apply. It could therefore be reasonably concluded to a foreign observer that the Australian Government’s failure to provide camera footage of Shapelle’s arrival and check-in at Brisbane Airport, and specifically the size of her baggage is paramount to saying she is as guilty as sin and the Australian Government doesn’t want her to be executed. It appears however that the reason the Australian government didn’t provide camera footage of Shapelle arrival and check-in is that the camera observation process is a farce.
Under the Indonesian Justice system penalties are modelled on the United States, the sentences are similar. Shapelle Corby was charged with Importation of an illegal (narcotic) substance and twenty years in Indonesia (or the USA) is a light sentence.
In Indonesia many are quite concerned about the Indonesia fisherman who are in jail for nothing more than fishing in Australian waters. If you go fishing more than 12 miles off the coast of Indonesia in places you get arrested for being within 200 miles of Australia. Australian’s send you to jail for that, and let you watch while they burn your fishing boat.
The problem with laws is that they are made to apply to people, but get used on individuals.
I feel very sorry for Shapelle Corby and growing concern about democracy as it is applied in Australia and it’s modelling for Australians future.
Edited on May 29, 4:00 p.m. because ''. -
Here's just so many comments, I don't know what to say coz by the looks of it, everything good is already been said.
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Thanks for bringing this to the attention of everyone here at the Allpoetry community. I agree, this is an unjust case and it should be righted.
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Right on! Your sentiments call to mind one of my favorite sayings: "Just because it's legal doesn't make it right!" In the U.S. we have laws that allow an armed intruder to sue his victims if he gets hurt while burglarizing their home and win; we have laws that allow a woman to get drunk and sleep with a man, who is also drunk, and charge him with rape the next morning and win; we have laws that take children from a good mother in Florida and give them to a father with a documented history of child abuse investigations and drunken arrests because he got to a judge first in divorce proceedings in HIS state of residence (Texas). I'm with you: what IS this world coming to? Thanks for taking a stand and making it public! Sheryl
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Freakin whacky huh? There is so much that doies not make sense in the news today. Where is the balance! Yikes. anyhow, I feel your pain. Thank you for posting this. Peace.
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I do think that it is too much, but too much in our eyes, drug offence in Bali is a serious crime and to be honest she was lucky to only get 20 years, normally drug offenders there get life, which is exactly that, they see out their life in jail. The comparison with the terrorist is a funny one, why exactly he got only two years is a little weird, but that is their system, and a different judge, she was incredibly unlucky to get the Judge whom is a hanging judge, I am sure that with the appeal her sentence will be lightened and that she may even serve part of it here in Australia, but the danger from appealing is that they may give her life, and or even serving it entirely in Bail, and we all know Bail has the most notorious jail system in the world for being a bad environment, and in my opinion if she remains on a 20 year sentence and she stays in Bail she will most likely up end killing herself.
I think that we have to respect and understand other countries justice systems and laws, and be aware that if you commit a crime you will be under their system.
I have all along thought she was guilty, how can one not notice 4.1 kilos extra weight in the Board bag!!!!
She is also known around Byron and Nimbin for dealing and her brother is a convicted drug pusher.
I do feel sorry for her in that she got so long, but I also respect Indonesia and understand there rules are on a different level to our own. I also hope that if the sentence remains at 20 years she gets to serve the majority here, if only for her sanity and not killing herself.
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I agree with Chantel... Completely ridiculous. I mean they aren't even in the same field crime-wise!! I'm thinking reverse the sentences: Bomber 20, Drugs 2 (if at all since the evidence was sketchy)
Doesn't the government have better things to do than make bad referee calls on things?? Open your eyes when sentencing people!! Law is no place for Eenie Meenie Miney Moe!! -
this is almost ridiculous. i didn't think the sentence for carrying cannabis could be so high! especially if they weren't even sure that they were hers. i would expect it to be maybe that high if it had been proven to be hers and that she was going to try and sell it, but still... in no way does it seem justice that a man who took part in killing over 200 people should be let off with two years in jail, and a possibly innocent woman given twenty years for carrying cannabis. (sorry, i know i'm stating the obvious here, i'm just sorting it all out in my head.)
it just seems bizarre. i want to close my eyes and wish that it was all one big mistake. -
Thanks for your thoughts
They certainly are very seperate things, but it is just such a slap in the face in the light of it. I don't think that either one should effect the other, but it is more about how the lack of compassion, how it hurts our feelings. -
i agree with this writing. totally. those stupid motherfuckers dont know what there doing. and i dont care if allpoetry bleeps this out into 'bunny,' but its how i feel. i dont beleive she should be jailed at all for, as she said, 'forgetting to put locks on my bag.' now, about that terrorist being jailed for 2 years. i really cant beleive that the judges can be that warped. that is absolutely unbeleivable. i cant realise how people can be so blind. they didnt even have a proper investigation into the cannabis, where it was grown etc.
but i dont think australia's place in the tsunami should be taken into consideration. as it says in 1 peter 3, it is better to suffer for doing good, because if you are doing good and being commended for it, you'll become vain. but thats just my view. the tsunami and the corby case are two entirely separarte things.
i agree with what odyssey said. dont bring the 'little' people into this. it has nothing to do with them. they shouldnt be made to suffer because of the governments stupidity and stiff-neckedness. -
I just heard on the news that there has been such a back-lash following the verdict that some people are phoning up aid agencies asking for the money they donated to the Tsunami appeals to be returned to them.
Please, this is not the doing of the little people, there are factors at play way out of the control of the Tsunami victims, let them not suffer for their government's sake, and our own government's for that matter... -
Tony22, My thinking on scapegoats, if one exists, is that Australia is using Shapelle as one. Rather than explain to everyone (all over the world) that flying in Australia has no anti terrorist content what so ever. - (That money appears to have spent on other things, VIP travel perhaps.).
- I struggle to believe in the idea that all those cameras at Australian airports do not see anything; like the size of a bag going out of Brisbane.
Edited on May 28, 2:44 p.m. because ''. -
I read about that earlier today and thought it was insane too. Even more insane is that involvement with drugs in that country often results in a death sentence without differentiation between marijuana and drugs such as cocaine and heroine. Not that I condone use of any of those substances, I can't understand the logic in the actions they took in her sentence.
It's really bad timing for that country to act in such a manner after the generosity received in the Tsunami disaster. One can only hope that they will at least honor extradiction to her own country and grant her some kind of leniency.
On another note - this statement made by your for this information to be posted was extremely well written and you did a difficult subject a lot of justice. Nicely done in giving this a voice in this forum.
Kim -
I do agree and thanks for the heads up. Such a difficult situation that really has got me wondering about scapegoats. I think more than anything she has been used as a scapegoat to send a message to Australians and anyone pondering doing such a thing. I do really feel sorry for her and have put myself in her shoes over and over again. Tony.
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Wattle, thank you for your thoughts, I agree with all your points, particularly those conerning 'when in Rome'. I hope you are right, about the just outcome. Unfortunatly I know you are right about the length of time these things take. Once again, thank you so much for your comments.
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You're still 'my' wise and caring Odyssey.
The injustice served to Schapelle seems quite outrageous. In truth, I have no problem with the sentencing differences around the world for similar crimes. I think; ‘When in Rome do as the Romans do’ covers that fine. Nor do I have any idea whether Schapelle Corby is truly innocent or guilty of drug trafficking.
However, it is so obviously wrong to ignore the goings on in Australia in relation to Schapelle’s arrest. I believe it entitles her to the benefit of any doubt and should allow her to walk free without prejudice or to put it another way to ignore what happened in Australia and find her guilty of drug trafficking is not a conclusion any reasonable person could reach.
In my heart, I’m quite sure the Indonesian justice system will see the injustice of her situation; on appeal and correct the wrong.
I guess I should also add; I said that last statement in relation to the trail finding a few days ago, to some friends. They were concerned she wouldn’t receive a just outcome at trial. I told them not to worry, the Indonesian justice system is not unlike our own and it will reach a just outcome.
The shame of the situation is the length of time all this legal ‘rubbish’ takes, and is going to take. The pressure it must create for those directly affected, especially Schapelle herself, I hope she is, and remains, safe and well through her ordeal and she receives her just outcome eventually.
Edited on May 28, 1:14 because ''.
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