BAN DEPLORES INDONESIA EXECUTION OF DRUG CONVICTS

New York, 11 Rajab 1436/30 April 2015 (MINA) – United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed deep regret over the execution of eight drug-trafficking convicts in Indonesia, reiterating that the death penalty “has no place in the 21st century.”

“(Ban) expresses deep regret at the executions carried out in Indonesia on April 29 despite numerous calls in the country and internationally for a reprieve,” said a statement from the UN chief’s spokesperson, Farhan Haq, on Wednesday.

“(Ban) again urges the (Indonesian) government to exercise its authority and commute all death sentences.”

“The secretary general reaffirms his belief that the death penalty has no place in the 21st century,” the statement further read, Press Tv quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

On 28 April, Indonesia executed eight drug-trafficking convicts of different nationalities two Australians, four Nigerians, an Indonesian, and a Brazilian – by a firing squad, marking the country’s second mass execution this year.

On 26 April, Ban called on Indonesian President Joko Widodo to declare a moratorium on death penalty and spare the lives of the drug convicts.

Widodo, who has adopted a hard line against drug trafficking, however, dismissed Ban’s appeal for clemency.

Some 130 people are on death row in Indonesia mostly for drug crimes. Drug offenders face harsh punishments, including the death penalty, in the country. About a third of convicts are foreigners. (T/P002/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)