Corby controversy II

Corby controversy II

While the public's sympathy is understandable, it is on the facts that the court has had to make its judgment. The legal process in Bali was unfamiliar and may have appeared even chaotic, given the free media access to the courtroom. However, that does not mean the Chief Justice, Linton Sirait, presides over a kangaroo court without proper legal process.

Yet long before the sentence was handed down many concerned Australians had elevated Schappelle Corby to martyr status. But a martyr to what cause? There are 155 Australians in foreign jails on drugs charges, two facing the death penalty.

It is utterly dismaying that some of Corby's supporters resorted to blatantly racist slurs, discrediting the verdict in advance by demeaning the judges on racial grounds and, in some case, vilifying all Indonesians.

An immediate appeal is expected, and Indonesia is cooperating fully on a prisoner exchange treaty which is likely to bring Corby home. Such treaties go a long way to easing tensions because Australians are spared imprisonment below standards accepted by the community.

A special "one-off" Corby deal, however, would be inappropriate. All Australians must be treated equally. This includes the two young Australians on death row in Vietnam and Singapore. -- The Sydney Morning Herald.