TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hikmahanto Juwana, an international law expert from the University of Indonesia, said the executions of foreign nationals would not have an impact on the relationship between Indonesia and other countries.
“Protests [against capital punishment] are common. But relationship between countries can’t be put aside, and we need each other,” Hikmahanto told Tempo on Sunday, April 26, 2015.
According to Hikmahanto, protests aired by foreign countries reflected the aspirations of their people.
“They can’t just sit and watch. If their governments make no effort to stop the execution, they will face more massive protests from the people,” he said.
For instance, Hikmahanto added, the Dutch government earlier had warned that it would withdraw its ambassador from Indonesia. However, it did not disrupt the Indonesia’s ties with Netherlands.
Therefore, Hikmahanto suggested the Attorney General’s office to immediately finalize the execution schedule to minimize negative opinion.
Earlier, Attorney General’s Office spokesperson Agung Tony Spontana announced that the second wave of execution for death-row convicts has been scheduled on Tuesday, April 28, 2015. The execution, Agung added, was tentative depending on the weather.
DEWI SUCI R | ISTMAN M.P