EU Local Statement on the occasion of World Day against the Death Penalty (Jakarta, 10 October 2017)

EU Local Statement on the occasion of World Day against the Death Penalty (Jakarta, 10 October 2017)

The Delegation of the European Union to Indonesia issues the following statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Indonesia:

1. The European Union reaffirms its strong and unequivocal opposition to capital punishment in all circumstances and for all cases. The death penalty is incompatible with human dignity. It is inhuman and degrading treatment, does not have any proven significant deterrent effect, and allows judicial errors to become irreversible and fatal.

1. Indonesia has completed the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review. The outcome was adopted by the Human Rights Council on 21 September. Among the recommendations supported by Indonesia, several relate to death penalty:

• consider establishing a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty;
• consider establishing a de jure moratorium on capital punishment and commute the existing death sentences;
• consider reverting to the moratorium on executions and take steps towards the abolition of the death sentence; and
• ensure the respect of the right to a fair trial, as provided by article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including the right to appeal for persons sentenced to death.

1. The European Union welcomes the commitment undertaken by Indonesia in accepting these recommendations and looks forward to its implementation.

1. Not so long ago, the European Union Member States went through the process of removing the capital punishment from their legislation. The European Union and its Member States stand ready to share this experience and support Indonesia in achieving the fulfilment of the commitments undertaken in the Human Rights Council.