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Laverton youth have produced a YouTube video calling for clemency for the Bali Nine ringleaders, condemned Australian drug smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who are facing execution by firing squad in Indonesia.
Young people involved with the Laverton Youth Foundation have produced a clip in English with Indonesian subtitles called A message for President Joko Widodo – We believe in the good heart of Indonesia.
In the video, youth take turns speaking lines such as: “We appeal only to the goodness of your heart so as the lives of these condemned might be saved and they might make amends” and “We are asking you to allow them to continue to rehabilitate in your prisons and add value to the local community”.
Youth foundation facilitator Alex Petrou said the young people had had their script cross-checked by Indonesian citizens to ensure cultural sensitivity.
“We felt that there weren’t enough young people having their say and also that the messages being related to Indonesia from our politicians were slightly aggressive,” he said.
“Our main goal was to have our plea heard and considered by Joko Widodo …we understand he is in a difficult position, but we always have a choice. And death may not be the best solution.”
