For National Human Rights Commission, The Death Penalty Does Not Deter Terrorists And Drug Dealers

JAKARTA - Indonesia is still implementing the death penalty for perpetrators of terrorism to drug dealers. But for the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), the death penalty for drug and terrorism perpetrators has not been proven to be successful in suppressing the rate.

"In studies, it is not proven that by implementing the death penalty, drug eradication will be more effective, especially terrorism", said Komnas HAM Chairman Ahmad Taufan at a press conference themed 'Death Penalty is the Highest Peak of Gender-Based Violence against Women: Abolish it for Justice and Recovery. Woman!' which was broadcast live from the Komnas Perempuan (National Commission for Women) YouTube channel, Monday, October 11.

Those who support the implementation of the death penalty argue that the application of the death penalty will provide a deterrent effect so that it becomes an effective step to eradicate certain crimes. But, said Ahmad Taufan Damanik, terrorists are looking for death.

For Ahmad Taufan, death is the choice of the terrorists when carrying out the mission that has been mandated by the masterminds behind their actions.

“Terrorists are grateful that there is a death penalty. Therefore, giving the death penalty to terrorists is not effective", he said, quoted from Antara.

Therefore, Komnas HAM is actively pushing for the death penalty to be abolished from the Indonesian legal system by starting to limit the types of crimes that are punishable by the death penalty.

To encourage the abolition of the death penalty, said Ahmad, Komnas HAM faces challenges from various groups, such as social groups and political circles who still think that the death penalty is important.

"For Komnas HAM, the death penalty is unacceptable because it must be abolished", said Ahmad Taufan.

In addition, he stressed that Indonesia must review national laws and existing practices so that they can ensure the most careful legal procedures, as well as protection for suspects with the death penalty by UN General Resolutions.

"Furthermore, Indonesia should impose a moratorium on the execution of the death penalty", he said.