Amnesty International reported that Indonesia sentenced 48 individuals to death last year, including 15 foreigners for drug-related offenses. Despite observing a two-year moratorium on executions, concerns over capital punishment persist, with activists calling for its abolition. The report emphasizes Indonesia’s human rights commitments while facing scrutiny over its reliance on the death penalty.
In its latest annual report, Amnesty International highlighted that Indonesia imposed death sentences on 48 individuals in the previous year, of which 15 were foreigners, predominantly convicted of drug offenses. The report, made public on Wednesday, illuminates that among the sentences, 39 were attributable to drug-related crimes, eight for murder, and one for terrorism. This marks a slight increase in the number of foreign convicts sentenced to death compared to the previous year in which 10 foreigners were part of 47 sentenced individuals. As of the end of last year, at least 308 inmates awaited execution under a moratorium that has persisted for two years following President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s execution of 18 individuals for drug offenses between 2015 and 2016. Despite Indonesia’s pronounced commitment to human rights within Southeast Asia, concerns linger regarding its persistent reliance on capital punishment. Activists express frustration over the lack of progress towards abolition, especially as Indonesia aspires to maintain an influential role in the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and is vying for a fifth consecutive term on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Amnesty’s Indonesia Program Director, Usman Hamid, remarked, “As a pioneer of human rights in Southeast Asia, Indonesia actually has a wider chance to progress from the moratorium [to abolition].” He noted the ironic contrast between Indonesia’s position and the global trend favoring the abolition of the death penalty, especially as neighboring Malaysia has initiated reforms regarding capital punishment. The report also enumerated a global decline in executions, dropping from 993 in 2017 to 690 in the previous year, marking the lowest figures in a decade. Concurrently, the number of new death sentences registered a minor decrease from 2,591 to 2,531. The issue has garnered attention among lawmakers as well, with Charles Honoris from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) expressing doubts about the efficacy of capital punishment in curbing crime. He highlighted the increasing prevalence of drug-related offenses, while also acknowledging the divided opinion among legislators, indicating that the President’s stance is pivotal in addressing the death penalty’s future. Moreover, the administration recently softened its approach, reclassifying the death penalty in the Criminal Code revision as an “alternative punishment” which could be converted to life imprisonment based on good behavior; however, the legislative process remains slow. Activists, therefore, continue to advocate for a decisive shift towards the elimination of capital punishment.
The topic of capital punishment in Indonesia is notable in the context of its broader human rights commitments. Despite the Asian nation’s historical enforcement of the death penalty, especially for drug-related offenses, there has been international pressure and a marked trend toward abolition in various countries. Amnesty International’s reports, which highlight the discrepancies between Indonesia’s human rights commitments and its legal practices, provoke ongoing discussions about reforms and the future of capital punishment in the country.
The situation surrounding the death penalty in Indonesia reflects a complex interplay of legal, ethical, and political factors. While Amnesty International’s report underscores the significant number of death sentences, especially concerning drug-related crimes, and the status of foreign convicts, it also illustrates a growing global movement against capital punishment. Activists within Indonesia urge for legislative reform and challenge the efficacy and morality of the death penalty, highlighting the necessity for a national dialogue on human rights that aligns with international standards.
Original Source: www.thejakartapost.com
