30 June 2005

Comrade Stanhope protects alleged murderer from the death sentence

| johnboy
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Big Bill Stefaniaak has put out a media release pointing out that Mr. Stanhope is witholding information that would allow the murderer of Zhang Hong Jie (Steffi) to be tried in China. The Chinese never extradite their own.

The hitch? If found guilty in China he would likely be put to death.

The Chief Minister did put out an excellent defence of his actions which I found compelling. Sadly he neglected to put it online.

However one thing we can be sure of is that our UC’s competitors will make much hay from the failure to notice the missing student for months and the Chief Minister then obstructing the trial of her alleged killer. (no matter how justified we may feel that action).

[The Canberra Times has further coverage]

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Simon has since read the Canberra Times article, and worked out that the bloke who (allegedly) did it is currently in custody in China.

I’m interested in why we should be certain that the Chinese police have the right guy, despite the fact that they don’t have sufficient evidence to get him convicted over there?

Particularly given that China is still a “People’s Democratic Republic” (i.e. a communist dictatorship) and therefore should be perfectly capable of creating their own evidence, if necessary?

Having read the Canberra Times article, yes, the federales are running a swifty here – it is very, very common practice to deny police co-operation until we get an assurance the death penalty will not be sought (what’s wrong with life imprisonment, people? Remember, this is in China, so things like human rights probably won’t come into it)

Well, he’s not stopping the Federal police from investigating on their own behalf, is he? Only stopping them from providing info to the Chinese police?

My understanding is this is a crime that was performed here. As such, it should be prosecuted and investigated here. What the chinese police have to do with the whole shebang has me completely confused.

Unless you know more about this and can enighten me?

The Chinese have a pretty definitive outlook. I don’t know if it’s ‘mature’ but it’s certainly effective.

Besides, who said this had to be constuctive criticism?

perhaps we should bring back the honour system, and people paying ‘pennance’ for their crimes directly to the people that they have committed the crime against – or would that just be taking us back to the middle ages ?

It’s a simple fact that the justice system is flawed, the only problem is nobody has come up with a definitive way of dealing with the problem in a more mature way.

I think (I hope) Thumper is alluding to cases that go before a court that get thrown out becuase of a technicality when it should be clear cut.

I’ve seen it happen before; without going into detail it’s what I was refering to when I mentioned ‘inequities and injustices’.

It’s a travesty of justice if a person can’t get convicted due to lack of evidence?

Surely justice is only served if people are convicted because there is evidence to prove that they did it, not because you just sorta think they might possibly have done something but you’re not entirely sure.

At least if they shoot the prick his organs will be put to good use. Maybe we can send Jon over there, and The Chinese could use his organs for some good too!

I’m not disagreeing with the fact that he should be tried in Australia for a crime committed here.

I was side-tracked by my contempt for the Australian legal system. I’m sure we’ve all had brushes with the inequities and injustices; but we’ll save it for another rant.

Until then areaman; we’ll agree to disagree.

Plenty of countries we don’t extradite to. China in a matter such as this for example.

The point about Chinese extradition policy is interesting.Perhaps Australia should implement this idea and bring back David Hicks and JP Whispelaire for trial in Australia.

I’m not saying that we (as a society) can’t alter the course of anther humans life, just not end it. You’re right we should be respectful of the legal processes of other contries but that goes the other way as well. Australia’s policy is to not assist with cases until it is made clear that the death penatly will not be sought, China isn’t being respectful of that, nor of our policy of trying Australian cases in Australia.

The right poeple to make that call are the people who can keep their rage to themselves. But you raise a valid point; It’s hard to kill all evil doers.

By your logic we can’t deliver any sort of judgement because we, as fellow humans, have no right to alter the course of anothers life.

I’m not here to write the laws, but were it up to me Rapists would be desexed and Drug Dealers would be administered overdoses by poorly trained concreters. I’m not saying I’m right and you’re wrong (although I have a hunch), I’m just saying it’s worth having an open mind to the way others choose to operate.

That’s a slippery slope you’re on there Nietzsche. Firstly we shouldn’t be taking another’s life just because they have, if we do how are we any better than them. And if it’s OK to kill a murder what about a Rapist or a Drug dealer, and who gets to make that call.

Areaman,

Shouldn’t the punishment fit the crime?

If someone is depraved enough to take anothers life then we are merely assisting evolution strive toward a utopian society by removing these deviants from the gene pool.

If not death, then castration.

No seepi, the alternative is that the person should be extradited to Australia where the crime was committed and serve time here, but the Chinese government refuses to ever extradite their own. If the victims family has an issue they should take it up the Chinese government, not the ACTs.

Bulldog, yes my outlook would change if I was directly effected, which is exactly why people in those situations shouldn’t get to make those kinds of judgements.

I bet the poor girl’s family don’t think the death sentence is barbaric, And he would have to go through a trial first.
What is the alternative – murder anyone you like in Aust. and once you’re back in Asia you’re home free?

Dave, Execution of these purveyors of depravity and death is no more barbaric than what is happening on the streets every day.

Doesn’t matter if you look at the addicts and their behaviour or to the families torn apart by the loss of a loved one or even the violence of rival gangs.

I hope we never have to be in the position, but I think the outlook on ‘barbaric’ would change if it was one of our family members killed.

Brutality is in the eye of the beholder – guess where all the triads and drug traffickers scuttled to before the Handover – Australia !

Dave_Heidelberg1:27 pm 01 Jul 05

I completely support Stanhope’s decision.

The death penalty is barbaric, as is the Chinese regime.

Those attempting to accuse Stanhope of hypocrisy based on his strong multicultural leanings are showing no understanding of the difference between culture and politics.

It is not Chinese ‘culture’ to execute people by firing squad; it is the policy of a brutal dictatorship.

The perceptive Michael Jeffreys (2CC Breakfast) was spot on this am – he said (speaking of the Dear Leader and words to this effect)”..it’s all ‘cultural’ until something comes along that doesn’t synch with their particular ideology..like execution by firing squad. As a gweilau who lived for years in HK, I assure you that very little drug trafficking and violent crimes went on inside the Peoples Republic, due to the death penalty -carried out with cheerful efficiency by a PLA squad with the prisoner’s family charged the cost of the bullets. Why would the People’s Republic bow to the ranting of what – in their terminology- amounts to a provincial village chief ? I imagine they’ll try Steffi’s killer and sentence him to whatever punishment is felt applicable, without any need to refer it to Nohope. Oh, and they’ll first probably harvest his organs before execution,if the more lurid HK tabloids are correct.

Ya, dia tidak peduli untuk Bali Sembilan. Ada satu hari di masa mendatang kami akan bergabung dengan Indonesia? Tidak di pendapat saya.

Ada gagasan yang bagus sekali untuk Kedutaan besar ‘Canberra’ dalam garema place kalau Dia berpikir dia berlari negara

We’ll all be speaking Indon next..

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