PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 21/022/2008

18 December 2008

Imminent Execution

INDONESIA Jurit bin Abdullah (m)

Ona Denis (m)

The two men named above are in imminent danger of execution. The Deputy Attorney for General Crimes told the Indonesian news agency Antara on 5 December that the executions would be carried out before the end of the year. According to Antara, both men have exhausted all the legal avenues to avoid execution, including an appeal for presidential clemency. However, the president still has the power to commute their sentences.

Jurit bin Abdullah has been sentenced to death twice, for two murders, carried out in May and August 1997. He received the second death sentence in April 2008.

Ona Denis was born in Nigeria but travelled to Indonesia 2001 on a Malawian passport. He was convicted of smuggling 1kg of heroin into the country in 2001, and sentenced to life imprisonment. He appealed, and the High Court of Appeal sentenced him to death.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Death sentences in Indonesia are carried out by firing squad. The prisoner can choose to stand or sit, and has the option of a blindfold or a cover for the entire head. There are 12 people in each firing squad, who fire from a distance of between five and 12 metres. Six of the rifles are loaded with blanks.

At least 107 people are known to be under sentence of death in Indonesia, 11 of whom were convicted and sentenced to death in 2007. After a 14-month hiatus, Indonesia resumed executions on 26 June 2008. Since then it has executed 10 people.

In 2006, Indonesia ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which states that "every human being has the inherent right to life." However, the Indonesian authorities did not authorize ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, which requires the introduction of a moratorium on executions, preparatory to complete abolition of the death penalty.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Bahasa Indonesian, English or your own language:

- calling on President Yudhono to commute the death sentences imposed on Jurit bin Abdullah and Ona Denis;

- acknowleding that Indonesia has a right and responsibility to address serious crime, and expressing sympathy for its victims, but pointing out that there is no clear evidence that the death penalty is an effective deterrent;

- calling on the authorities to sign and ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and establish a moratorium on executions, as a first step towards the abolition of the death penalty, as advocated in the UN General Assembly Resolution of 18 December 2007.

APPEALS TO:

Please note that fax machines may be switched off outside office hours (GMT+6)

President

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President RI, Istana Merdeka, Jakarta Pusat 10110, Indonesia

Fax: + 62 21 345 2685

+ 62 21 526 8726

Salutation: Dear President Yudhoyono

Attorney General

Mr. Hendarman Supandji, Jaksa Agung, J. Sultan Hasanuddin No. 1, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, Indonesia

Fax: + 62 21 725 0213

Salutation: Dear Attorney General

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Indonesia accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 31 December 2008.