British FM Expresses Concern on Indonesian Death Penalty

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond expressed concern relating to the British citizens who got death penalty due to conviction in drugs smuggling case in Indonesia.

"The British Foreign Minister stated his concern related to the citizens who are facing death sentence. The Minister was not lobbying. He only stated his concern," Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said here on Wednesday.

Hammond conducted state visit to Indonesia on Wednesday and met Minister Retno.

Retno said her institution has explained about the law and regulation relating to the death sentence to drug dealers which is in accordance with the international law.

The drug smuggling in Indonesia has entered a critical level, thus the government should take firm actions to eradicate narcotic cases.

"I have explained the drug cases occurring in Indonesia, both from the emergency status and regulations aspects. I also have explained the legal rights which have been given to each person," Retno said.

Retno said Indonesia has consistent regulation relating to drug cases.

"Indonesian regulation on the violation is consistent. We explain the serious concern on drug case each time the foreign country stated their concern on the death sentence," Retno added.

British citizen Lindsay Sandiford has been convicted on drug case after taking 4.7 kilograms of cocaine to Bali in 2012 and gets death penalty.

Hammond said the British opposes death sentence in any condition. "We erased the death sentence in our country and supporting the abolition of death sentence in other countries," Hammond said. (WDY)