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Indonesia: 19 Indonesian Migrant Workers facing death penalty abroad
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Statement - February 6, 2007
Indonesian government needs to be more serious in dealing with the matter
The problems of Indonesian migrant workers facing the death penalty abroad has never been seriously and systematically dealt with by the Indonesian missions within the program protecting the rights of the Indonesian Migrant workers.
From 1999 to 2006, there have been more than 32 Indonesian Migrant workers facing the death penalty in the receiving nations such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia. Out of the 32, 19 have already been freed from death penalty while the rest are still languishing in jails awaiting court proceedings.
According to an official statement from the Indonesia Consulate General Office in Jedah, there are 4 Indonesian Migrant workers currently awaiting execution.
If we review the track records of the Republic of Indonesia's Migrant Workers Protection Programs, we will find many drawbacks that need to be addressed:
Firstly, In 1999, President Abdurrahman Wahid had tried save Siti Zaenab from the death penalty in Saudi Arabia through his diplomatic efforts but was ignored. After President Abdurrahman Wahid, his successors, Megawati and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono have continued to fight for the life of Siti. It was a happy ending that Siti Zaenab finally escaped the death gallows through President Gusdur's diplomatic efforts.
Secondly, The Indonesia Embassy in Malaysia has been very slow in responding to the death penalty cases. They have either not been informed or ignored the matter. Suhaidi Bin Asnawi, Lili Ardi Sinaga dan Hasanuddin Sinring are victims of the negligence of the KBRI; these migrant workers were denied their rights to legal representation by the present of KBRI officers. Their families were also kept in the dark about the death penalty.
Thirdly, It is a very common knowledge that Indonesian foreign missions abroad have neglected their national duties to protect its citizens abroad. In many cases, the government only looks at the aspect of providing legal aid for the legal proceedings whilst ignoring the rights of information and to be present at the hearings.
Fourthly, the Republic of Indonesia has very little commitment to preventing the drastic increase of the death penalty incident from befalling its migrant nationals.
Based on these crucial threats of death penalty against the Indonesian Migrant Workers, We, Migrant Care, make clear our stand:
Migrant CARE: migrantcare@nusa.or.id
Name, place of origin and destination
Asian Human Rights Commission
19/F, Go-Up Commercial Building,
998 Canton Road, Kowloon,
Hongkong S.A.R.
Tel: +(852) - 2698-6339
Fax: +(852) - 2698-6367
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