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Indonesian President Joko Widodo describes death penalty as 'positive' after Bali Nine executions Indonesian President Joko Widodo describes death penalty as 'positive' after Bali Nine executions
(less than a minute earlier)
The Indonesian President has defended the execution of eight prisoners convicted of drug offences as "positive".The Indonesian President has defended the execution of eight prisoners convicted of drug offences as "positive".
Mr Widodo insisted he had no regrets about the executions and said: "The death penalty is still our positive law."Mr Widodo insisted he had no regrets about the executions and said: "The death penalty is still our positive law."
The President defended the decision following after Gillian Trigg, the Australian Human Rights Commissioner, suggested that supplies of foreign aid should be altered in accordance with countries’ human rights records, according to The Guardian.The President defended the decision following after Gillian Trigg, the Australian Human Rights Commissioner, suggested that supplies of foreign aid should be altered in accordance with countries’ human rights records, according to The Guardian.
Supporters of Bali Nine ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran attend a candlelight vigil on 28 April, the day before the pair were executed in Indonesia. Jakarta executed the two Australians, a Brazilian and four Nigerians on a prison island, along with one Indonesian, despite worldwide calls for them to be spared.Supporters of Bali Nine ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran attend a candlelight vigil on 28 April, the day before the pair were executed in Indonesia. Jakarta executed the two Australians, a Brazilian and four Nigerians on a prison island, along with one Indonesian, despite worldwide calls for them to be spared.
When asked about the anger in other countries by journalists, Mr Widodo said: "My duty as President of Indonesia is to carry out the law and I’m sure other countries will understand this."When asked about the anger in other countries by journalists, Mr Widodo said: "My duty as President of Indonesia is to carry out the law and I’m sure other countries will understand this."
He added: "Every day 50 young Indonesians die, in one year that is 18,000 dead. I hope they understand about that."He added: "Every day 50 young Indonesians die, in one year that is 18,000 dead. I hope they understand about that."
The announcement comes as the President lifted decades-old restrictions on the movement of journalists in Papua.The announcement comes as the President lifted decades-old restrictions on the movement of journalists in Papua.
A woman places a candle on top of pictures of the prisoners to be executed in Indonesia, during a vigil at Martin Place in Sydney, Australia "Starting today, foreign journalists will be allowed and are free to come to Papua, as they are to other parts of Indonesia," Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto quoted President Widodo as saying during a trip to the remote province.A woman places a candle on top of pictures of the prisoners to be executed in Indonesia, during a vigil at Martin Place in Sydney, Australia "Starting today, foreign journalists will be allowed and are free to come to Papua, as they are to other parts of Indonesia," Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto quoted President Widodo as saying during a trip to the remote province.
Foreign journalists previously needed government clearance to visit Papua, which is known for its abundant copper and gold mines operated by U.S. mining giant Freeport-McMoRan Inc .Foreign journalists previously needed government clearance to visit Papua, which is known for its abundant copper and gold mines operated by U.S. mining giant Freeport-McMoRan Inc .
Last year, two French journalists were convicted of misusing their tourist visas to work as journalists in Papua and spent 11 weeks in detention before being sent back to France.Last year, two French journalists were convicted of misusing their tourist visas to work as journalists in Papua and spent 11 weeks in detention before being sent back to France.
Widodo, who is visiting Papua with a delegation that included a small group of Jakarta-based foreign journalists, on Saturday pardoned five political prisoners convicted over a 2003 raid on an Indonesian military weapons arsenal, local media said.Widodo, who is visiting Papua with a delegation that included a small group of Jakarta-based foreign journalists, on Saturday pardoned five political prisoners convicted over a 2003 raid on an Indonesian military weapons arsenal, local media said.
Additional reporting PAAdditional reporting PA