Australian government 'appeals for mercy' for Indonesia death row pair

The Australian government has urged Indonesia to show mercy towards two citizens facing execution on drug smuggling charges.

Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran are among nine Australians arrested in 2005 in Bali for drug trafficking, and are due to be killed by firing squad this month.

In a statement to parliament, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop urged the Indonesian government to "show the same mercy...that it seeks for its citizens in the same situation abroad".