NFPs Condemn Indonesian Executions

Amnesty International has condemned the executions of convicted drug smugglers, Australians Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran and six other prisoners overnight describing the killings as “a senseless and tragic waste”.

The pair were executed along with Nigerians Raheem Agbaje Salami, Sylvester Obiekwe Nwolise, Okwudili Oyatanze and Martin Anderson, Brazilian Rodrigo Gularte and Indonesian Zainal Abidin. Mary Jane Veloso a former domestic worker from the Philippines was given a last minute stay of execution.

"In Australia, the deaths of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have sent shockwaves around the country and exposed a nation to the inhumanity and cruelty of the death penalty," Human Rights Lawyer and Crisis Campaigner at Amnesty International, Diana Sayed said.

"This is an extremely sad day for the families and friends of the eight people executed and all those who stood in solidarity with Myuran and Andrew, and others on death row, calling for their lives to be spared.

"Despite promising steps away from the death penalty prior to 2013 and four years without any executions, Indonesia’s resumption of this cruel and inhuman punishment has put them well out of step with the rest of the world.”

The condemnation comes as Australia announced it would withdraw its Ambassador to Indonesia, Paul Grigson.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop have described the the executions as “deplorable” and “ghastly”.

"We respect Indonesia's sovereignty but we do deplore what's been done and this cannot be simply business as usual. For that reason, once all the courtesies have been extended to the Chan and Sukumaran families our ambassador will be withdrawn for consultations,” Abbott said at a media conference.

Amnesty International also urged the Abbott Government to continue to lobby against the death penalty.

"And whilst the Australian Government played a key role in voicing its opposition to the death penalty, it is critical they continue the momentum of this campaign and work with other countries to make the death penalty a relic of the past,” Sayed said.

"These tragic and cruel deaths should serve as a clear reminder that Australia must continue to speak out against the death penalty and take a clear, consistent and principled approach irrespective of the nationality or circumstances of those facing execution.

"Amnesty International will continue to call for Indonesia to end the death penalty and join the international trend to abolish the inhuman, cruel and degrading practice.”

International Not for Profit, Human Rights Watch, has also condemned the execution saying it opposes the death penalty in all circumstances because of its inherent cruelty.

“Indonesia’s use of the death penalty is inconsistent with international human rights law, statements of UN human rights experts, and various UN bodies. Human rights law upholds every human being’s ‘inherent right to life’ and limits the death penalty to ‘the most serious crimes,’ typically crimes resulting in death or serious bodily harm,” the Deputy Asia director Phelim Kine said.

“Indonesia should join with the many countries already committed to the UN General Assembly’s December 18, 2007 resolution calling for a moratorium on executions and a move by UN member countries toward abolition of the death penalty.”