The recent repatriation of foreign convicts on death row for drug-related cases should serve as the first step for Indonesia to abolish capital punishment entirely, law and human rights activists have said.
resident Prabowo Subianto’s decision to repatriate foreign convicts on death row has reignited calls from human rights advocates for the government to take a bolder stance and abolish capital punishment entirely.
Less than two months into his presidency, Prabowo’s administration agreed to return to their home countries Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina sentenced to death 14 years ago in a drug case, and five Australians who are part of the so-called “Bali Nine” drug ring. The decision was made following diplomatic efforts.
Veloso returned to Manila on Tuesday midnight. Meanwhile, the “Bali Nine” members, who have served nearly 20 years of their life sentences for drug smuggling, returned home as prisoners from Bali to the Australian city of Darwin on Sunday morning.
Observers said the decision marked Prabowo’s shifting stance on the death penalty. His predecessor, former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, stuck to his pledge of being tough on drugs since his first term in 2014, refusing to grant clemency to drug offenders and encouraging police to shoot drug traffickers who resisted arrest.
Veloso and the Bali Nine’s repatriation also gave some hope that the country might abolish capital punishment, said Muhammad Afif from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).
“While death sentences are still allowed in the current law, the repatriations underscored that Indonesia continues to implement a de facto moratorium on the death penalty [...] especially after seven years of no executions of death row inmates,” he said.
Indonesia carried out its last execution in July 2016, when an Indonesian and three foreigners who were all convicted drug offenders were shot by a firing squad.
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.