Support For Death Penalty Grows
A leading human rights advocate fears public support for the death penalty is growing in Indonesia but says the importance of good diplomatic relations between Jakarta and Canberra could help two Australians on death row.
Indonesia last week carried out its first execution since 2008, putting to death a Nigerian drug smuggler.
Adami Wilson was shot by firing squad in the Thousand Islands, an archipelago popular with tourists which is located off the coast of the capital Jakarta.
The development presents serious implications for two Australian drug traffickers - the Bali Nine's Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan - who are awaiting a decision from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on their appeals for clemency.
But Haris Azhar, the coordinator of Indonesia's Commission for the Missing and Victims of Violence (Kontras), said on Wednesday that unlike in Adami's case, political factors and the relationship with Australia would have to be considered when it comes to Sukumaran and Chan.
'There's no political links in the international relations (between Indonesia and Nigeria),' he told the Jakarta Foreign Correspondents Club.
'But imagine ... how difficult, tough if SBY, the regime, the government put the death sentence to an Australian,' he said.
'It will be hard for SBY.'
He added, however, that there were worrying signs in terms of the response to last week's execution, saying that there appeared to be a groundswell of public opinion in favour of capital punishment.
There seemed to be 'a big applause' when Adami was executed, he said.
'This is a signal that people support it.'
Adami, 48, was caught in 2003 attempting to smuggle one kilogram of heroin into Indonesia.
Sukumaran, 31, and Chan, 29, were arrested and jailed in 2005 for their roles in an attempt to smuggle eight kilograms of heroin from Bali to Australia.
Indonesia has said another nine convicts would be executed this year.
However, Sukumaran and Chan are not on that list because their appeals for clemency remain unresolved.
Indonesia last week carried out its first execution since 2008, putting to death a Nigerian drug smuggler.
Adami Wilson was shot by firing squad in the Thousand Islands, an archipelago popular with tourists which is located off the coast of the capital Jakarta.
The development presents serious implications for two Australian drug traffickers - the Bali Nine's Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan - who are awaiting a decision from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on their appeals for clemency.
But Haris Azhar, the coordinator of Indonesia's Commission for the Missing and Victims of Violence (Kontras), said on Wednesday that unlike in Adami's case, political factors and the relationship with Australia would have to be considered when it comes to Sukumaran and Chan.
'There's no political links in the international relations (between Indonesia and Nigeria),' he told the Jakarta Foreign Correspondents Club.
'But imagine ... how difficult, tough if SBY, the regime, the government put the death sentence to an Australian,' he said.
'It will be hard for SBY.'
He added, however, that there were worrying signs in terms of the response to last week's execution, saying that there appeared to be a groundswell of public opinion in favour of capital punishment.
There seemed to be 'a big applause' when Adami was executed, he said.
'This is a signal that people support it.'
Adami, 48, was caught in 2003 attempting to smuggle one kilogram of heroin into Indonesia.
Sukumaran, 31, and Chan, 29, were arrested and jailed in 2005 for their roles in an attempt to smuggle eight kilograms of heroin from Bali to Australia.
Indonesia has said another nine convicts would be executed this year.
However, Sukumaran and Chan are not on that list because their appeals for clemency remain unresolved.
Courtesy: Sky News
