THE INDONESIA HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

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TAPOL calls for commutation of death sentences of three men

29 April 2006

The Indonesian Attorney General has just announced that the execution of three men who were found guilty of involvement in a bombing attack in Bali in 2002 is imminent. The three men are Amrozi bin H. Nurhasyim, Ali Ghufron alias Mukhlas and Imam Samudera.

The bombing in Bali resulted in 202 deaths and 209 people being injured.

TAPOL categorically opposes the death sentence and believes that such an action is in violation of Indonesia's own constitution which upholds the right to life. TAPOL deeply regrets the decision taken by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on 10 November 2005 to refuse clemency, opening the way for the executions to proceed.

The idea that the death sentence will act as a deterrent is clearly flawed. Shortly after the death sentences of the three men were announced, another bombing action took place on 1 October 2005, killing 23 people.

Moreover, by going ahead with these executions, the three men will be seen as martyrs, which could only lead to further acts of violence.

It is a matter for deep regret that, when ratifying the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the Indonesian Parliament made an exception by not ratifying the Second Optional Protocol which aims at abolishing the death sentence. There are believed to be no fewer than 89 people on death row in Indonesia.

TAPOL calls on the Indonesian authorities to commute the three death sentences immediately.

It also calls on the Indonesian authorities to take immediate steps to repeal all laws giving the Indonesian state the power to implement the death sentence. Such a move would affirm that the newly democratic state as a civilised state that is not prepared to use the ultimate act of violence by taking the lives of its citizens.

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