Indonesia: Return of the execution

Indonesia: Return of the execution

The execution of two Thai nationals last night raises real fears for eight other people awaiting execution in Indonesia. The deaths of Saelow Prasert and Namsong Sirilak means three people have now been executed in the last two months.

"After a de facto three year moratorium this return to executions casts another terrible shadow over human rights in Indonesia," said Ingrid Massage, Asia director at Amnesty International.

Saelow Prasert, 62, and Namsong Sirilak, 32, were sentenced to death for drug trafficking in 1994, along with a 62-year-old Indian man, Ayodha Prasad Chabey. Chabey was executed in August 2004. Amnesty International questioned the fairness of their trials after reports that their access to lawyers and interpreters was limited.

The three were among a group of 11 people whose appeals for clemency were turned down in June and July this year. A total of 54 people are believed to be under sentence of death in Indonesia.

In a briefing released today, Amnesty International calls on Indonesia to take immediate steps towards abolishing the death penalty by halting all executions. It highlights the irreversible dangers of applying the death penalty in Indonesia, where the judicial system is still in need of reform.

Indonesia in the AI Report 2004: http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacH6Mabat7Wbb0hPub/

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