Indonesia | Jump in death sentences highlights ‘hasty’ court cases

Indonesia recorded a staggering increase in capital punishment verdicts in 2019

The staggering increase in capital punishment verdicts last year has fueled criticism of Indonesia’s justice system.

Activists accuse judges of ignoring basic human rights and underlining the ineffectiveness of the death penalty in reducing crime.

As many as 80 death penalties were meted out by Indonesian judges in 2019, a 66 % increase from 48 such sentences in 2018, according to an annual report by Amnesty International published this week.

60 of the sentences were handed down for drug-related crimes, while is serious criminal offenses such as terrorism, murder and sexual abuse against children account for the rest.

Source: Jakarta Post, Staff, April 23, 2020

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