Indonesia’s stalled progress is especially glaring. Its revised Criminal Code (effective 2026) retains the death penalty, albeit as a secondary punishment. While authorities repatriated foreign prisoners like Mary Jane Veloso (Philippines) and Serge Atlaoui (France), domestic courts keep imposing death sentences—21 in just the first three months of 2025.

Wirya Adiwena, Amnesty Indonesia’s Deputy Director, warned: “Repatriations aren’t reform. We need an official moratorium and commutation of all death sentences.” The urgency grows as 157 Indonesians face execution abroad, mostly in Malaysia.

Globally, abolition gains momentum. 113 countries have banned capital punishment, and Zimbabwe recently outlawed it for non-violent crimes. Landmark cases, like Japan’s release of Iwao Hakamada after 50 years on death row, prove change is possible.

“Indonesia must join this shift,” said Adiwena. “Every death sentence is a failure of justice. The world is watching.”. (Uki Ruknuddin)

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