Passed at the end of last year, the revised Criminal Code introduced an automatic 10-year probation for convicts on death row to demonstrate good behavior for the possibility of having their sentences commuted. After the probation elapses, the sitting president may decrease the sentence to life in prison or 20 years in prison. The policy will take effect in 2026.

Amnesty International Indonesia researcher Ari Pramuditya said that although Indonesia still had a long way to go before the death penalty was completely abolished, the new penal code was "a positive step" that deserved recognition.

"However, we still need to closely monitor its implementation. Amnesty will continue to push for the total abolition of the death penalty. Although the probation for people sentenced to death is a step in the right direction, it's not enough, and we still have a long way to go," Ari said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid said the country had to use the opportunity to significantly reduce instances of capital punishment after years of what he said were shockingly high figures.

Indonesia has continued to record-high numbers of death sentences in recent years, with 112 instances 2022, just two fewer than in 2021, according to Amnesty. In 2020, it recorded 117 death sentences. As of Monday, there were 452 convicts awaiting execution.

Zero-tolerance policy