TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Six members of the European Parliament went on an official visit to Indonesia from March 16 to 18. The delegates held meetings with the Ministers of Foreign, Trade and Coordinating Maritime Affairs, as well as members of the House of Representatives (DPR) to enhance bilateral relations between the European Union and Indonesia.

One of the topics raised during the visit was Indonesia's policy on death penalty.

The delegates' chairman Werner Langen said they had an extensive discussion with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi about the issue.

"We respect the constitution in Indonesia, but in any case or any circumstances, the European Union is against death penalties," he said during a press conference at the EU delegate office in Jakarta, Wednesday last week.

"I can assure you that even in other countries where capital punishment still applies, such as China and the United States, we have exactly the same conversation with the authorities here," Mr. Langen said.

Currently, there are 11 death row convicts that will be executed in the near future. Out of the 11, eight people were convicted for drug trafficking. One of the drug trafficking convicts was a Frenchman by the name of Serge Areski Atlaoui.

AMANDA SIDDHARTA