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NZ urged to lead talks against death penalty as Indonesia prepares to execute 14

Author
Sam Thompson,
Publish Date
Thu, 28 Jul 2016, 6:21AM
Prime Minister John Key and Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. Photo / Isaac Davison
Prime Minister John Key and Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. Photo / Isaac Davison

NZ urged to lead talks against death penalty as Indonesia prepares to execute 14

Author
Sam Thompson,
Publish Date
Thu, 28 Jul 2016, 6:21AM

New Zealand is being urged to lead the charge in its opposition to the death penalty.

Just weeks after John Key raised the issue with the Indonesian president, Amnesty International said it's received credible reports that Indonesia is preparing to execute 14 people this week.

Executive Director Grant Bayldon said many of New Zealand's major trading partners, like China, Saudi Arabia and Iran who execute many people each year are the worst offenders.

"So really there's an opportunity for New Zealand to provide a leadership role across the Asia-Pacific region, but it needs a plan on how it's going to engage, and how it's going to be very strategic in the way it uses it's voice."

Mr Bayldon said they have received credible reports that at least 10 of those to be executed are foreign nationals, no New Zealanders.

He said New Zealand should keep up the pressure because Indonesia is in breach of international law by using the death penalty for drug crimes.

"That's something we can be reminding Indonesia in public, at the United Nations and other places of its responsibilities. It should also be referencing other international agreements that Indonesia's signed."

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