URGENT ACTION APPEAL
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10 November 2004
UA 303/04 Imminent execution
INDONESIA
Astini (f), aged 49, Indonesian national
Astini, a 49-year-old mother of three, is due to be executed on or
around 15 November, according to an announcement by
Indonesian authorities.
Her execution was reportedly scheduled to take place sooner, but
has been postponed until after Idul Fitri - the Muslim feast to
mark the end of Ramadan - out of respect for the holy month of
fasting.
Astini was sentenced to death in October 1996 on three counts of
murder. She was found guilty of murdering three women
between August 1993 and January 1996 and of dismembering
their bodies. Her appeal for clemency was rejected by former
president Megawati Sukarnoputri in July 2004. In October the
Supreme Court rejected her application for judicial review.
In a letter sent to the Attorney General's Office in October,
Astini's lawyers presented evidence that during her time in
Malang Women's prison, Astini had been of good behavior and
had participated in rehabilitation programs. Astini's lawyers
noted that the point of the prison system in Indonesia was to
reform prisoners to become socially functional people.
According to the letter, Astini's value systems have changed
significantly during her time in prison. In the letter her lawyers
questioned the purpose of rehabilitation if, after Astini had
become a good person, she is still to be executed.
In an interview with a local newspaper, Astini's son, Ty, said
that his mother was genuinely remorseful for her crimes. In his
mother's defense he said that Astini's crimes were a
consequence of the family's poverty. He reported that during a
recent visit, his mother had cried as she expressed her desire to
go on living.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Indonesia has carried out three executions this year. Indian
national Ayodhya Prasad Chaubey was executed in August, and
Thai nationals Namsong Sirilak and Saelow Prasert were
executed in October, having been sentenced to death for drug
trafficking. Eight other people had their appeals for presidential
clemency rejected in June and July, and are also thought to be at
imminent risk of execution.
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty unreservedly in
all cases. Every death sentence is an affront to human dignity,
every execution a symptom of a culture of violence, rather than a
solution to it. Today, 118 countries are abolitionist in law or
practice. At least 56 people are believed to be on death row in
Indonesia. Before the executions carried out this year, there had
not been an execution in Indonesia since 2001, prior to which
there had been no executions in Indonesia for six years.
The risk of error in applying the death penalty is inescapable, yet
it is irrevocable. The Indonesian Commission on Human Rights
(Komnas HAM) noted in 2001 that, ''[a]side from being
internationally recognized as a human rights violation in itself...
the death penalty administered by a corrupt judiciary is
extremely dangerous.'' Following his visit to Indonesia in July
2002, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and
lawyers expressed concern regarding corruption within the
judiciary.
Amnesty International recognizes the need to address serious
crime all over the world, including murder and the trade in illicit
drugs. However, the organization is convinced that the death
penalty will not provide a solution. There is no clear evidence
that the death penalty acts as a more effective deterrent against
crime than other forms of punishment.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive
as quickly as possible:
- calling for the death sentence of Astini to be commuted;
- expressing deep concern about the renewal of executions in
Indonesia;
- urging all death sentences in Indonesia to be commuted, as they
constitute the violation of one of the most fundamental of human
rights - the right to life.
APPEALS TO: (Fax numbers may be difficult to get through
to. Please keep trying)
President
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
President RI
Istana Merdeka
Jakarta 10110
Indonesia
Fax: 011 62 21 345 2685 / 526 8726 / 345 7782
Salutation: Dear President
Attorney General
Abdul Rahman Saleh
Jaksa Agung
Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin No. 1
Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta Selantan 12130
Indonesia
Fax: 011 62 21 725 0213
Salutation: Dear Attorney General
COPIES TO:
Chairman, Komnas HAM
Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara
Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia
Jl Latuharhary No. 4B
Menteng
Jakarta Pusat 10310
Indonesia
Fax: 011 62 21 392 5227
Salutation: Dear Chairman
Ambassador Soemadi Djoko M. Brotodiningrat
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
2020 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington DC 20036
Fax: 1 202 775 5365
Email: [email protected]
Please send appeals immediately. Check with the Colorado
office between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain Time,
weekdays only, if sending appeals after December 22, 2004
Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots
movement that promotes and defends human
rights.
This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept
intact, including contact information and stop
action date (if applicable). Thank you for your
help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
PO Box 1270
Nederland CO 80466-1270
Email: [email protected]
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 303 258 1170
Fax: 303 258 7881
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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
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