Jakarta – The Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) has called on the government to halt its plan to execute several more death row inmates this year, following statements issued by Attorney General HM Prasetyo, who confirmed the imminent executions.

LBH Jakarta director Ricky Gunawan criticized the plan, saying the AGO's decision was merely aimed at gaining popularity.

"The executions are a shortcut for him [HM Prasetyo] to show to the public that his office has worked well," he said in a press statement on Friday

"In terms of achievements, the AGO is falling behind other authorities, such as the Corruption Eradication Commission [KPK], the Supreme Court and the National Police."

Ricky added that the AGO needed to pay attention to the results of research conducted by Indonesia's Ombudsman last year, which found maladministration in the implementation of the latest executions in 2016.

The findings found that the clemency request of Humphrey Jefferson, which could have halted his execution, was denied by the Central Jakarta court without a proper explanation.

In addition, LBH Jakarta stated that the executions would be a set back for the nation in the eyes of the world and could hamper Indonesia's efforts to secure a non-permanent member seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) next year.

"The executions also threaten our efforts to save hundreds of Indonesian migrant workers who are still on death row," he said.

On Thursday, HM Prasetyo said executions would not be stopped as long as it was still stipulated in the law. (srs/ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/03/02/ago-called-on-to-stop-execution.html