Deeply regrettable that Indonesia is again carrying out executions

On Tuesday evening, eight prisoners were executed in Indonesia for drugs offences. Indonesia had an unofficial moratorium on the death penalty for many years, but this has since been lifted. Since January this year, 14 prisoners have been executed, including several foreigners. Norway is opposed to all use of the death penalty under all circumstances. Prime Minister Erna Solberg expressed Norway's opposition to the death penalty on principle during her recent visit to Indonesia. She explicitly called for the planned executions not to be carried out.

'The death penalty is not compatible with respect for human dignity and inviolability. It is in itself inhumane, and has absolutely no place in the 21st century. The international efforts to abolish the death penalty have come far. Today more than four in five countries have abolished the death penalty by law or in practice. It is therefore deeply regrettable that certain countries, including Indonesia, have recently reintroduced the practice,' said Mr Brende.