TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In view of the planned execution of up to 14 convicts in Indonesia, the European Union calls on the country to halt all executions and to consider joining the wide community of over 140 states that have abolished the death penalty entirely or have adopted a moratorium.
The EU is opposed to capital punishment without exception and has consistently called for its universal abolition. The death penalty is a cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity.
Indonesia will execute 14 drug convicts including at least four foreigners this weekend, the attorney general H. Muhammad Prasetyo said on Wednesday, stepping up a "war on drugs" that has drawn international condemnation.
Those executed will include nationals of Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and India, H. Muhammad Prasetyo told reporters at the state palace. News of the impending executions prompted condemnation from the United Nations and the European Union.
"We understand that there is a camp that does not agree with us, but no matter what, this is not a pleasant work but it still has to be done," Prasetyo said, adding that notifications had been sent to the foreign embassies.
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