Indonesia’s Death Penalty Policy Under Scrutiny Amid International…

Amnesty International’s latest report reveals that Indonesia sentenced 48 individuals to death in 2022, including 15 foreigners mainly convicted of drug crimes. Despite a moratorium on executions, Indonesia has yet to advance toward abolishing the death penalty, attracting criticism from human rights advocates and highlighting the nation’s struggle with rising drug offenses. Discussions on categorizing death sentences as alternatives have seen slow progress through legislative channels.

In 2022, Indonesia sentenced 48 individuals to death, which included 15 foreigners, primarily for drug-related offenses, as reported by Amnesty International in its annual assessment on capital punishment. The breakdown of the death sentences revealed that 39 were attributed to drug-related crimes, 8 to murder, and one to terrorism. This situation highlights Indonesia’s ongoing issues with its capital punishment policies, especially given the number of individuals currently on death row, which totals at least 308 without scheduled execution dates. Despite Indonesia’s advocacy for human rights across Southeast Asia, the nation has yet to make substantial moves towards abolishing the death penalty. While there was a moratorium on executions for the second consecutive year in 2018, following a period where President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo executed numerous individuals for drug offenses, the absence of formal abolition actions has been met with disappointment from activists. Usman Hamid, the executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, articulated this frustration, noting the irony that Indonesia, a leader in human rights dialogue, has not yet taken necessary measures toward abolishing such punitive measures. Furthermore, while countries such as Malaysia and Gambia are moving toward reform or abolition, Indonesia remains stagnant. Advocates for life imprisonment alternatives cite the ongoing rise in drug crimes, questioning the effectiveness of capital punishment in deterring criminal activity. There is an acknowledgment from lawmakers, including Charles Honoris from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), that the divided political landscape surrounding the death penalty complicates any potential reform. The current government has introduced notions of categorizing the death penalty as an alternative punishment in discussions; however, progress on legislative revisions remains slow.

The topic of capital punishment in Indonesia has gained increasing scrutiny in light of both domestic policies and international human rights standards. Amnesty International’s reports serve as a significant insight into Indonesia’s practices concerning the death penalty and the country’s global standing in human rights advocacy. Despite a considerable number of death sentences, actions toward abolition or reform have largely stalled, leading to domestic and international calls for change. Factors contributing to this ongoing debate include the rising rate of drug crimes and the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent, as well as Indonesia’s role in human rights discussions within ASEAN and the UN.

In summary, Indonesia’s capital punishment policy remains a complex issue that highlights the tension between its human rights aspirations and its legal practices. The continued imposition of death sentences, particularly on foreigners for drug-related offenses, alongside the growing number of individuals on death row, underscores the urgent need for reform. Activists and lawmakers alike advocate for progress, emphasizing that the current political climate—especially the decision-making of President Jokowi—will be pivotal in determining the future of the death penalty in Indonesia. As the global trend shows a decline in executions, Indonesia’s position could benefit from aligning its policies with advancing human rights standards, thereby enhancing its diplomatic stature in the international community.

Original Source: www.thejakartapost.com