Veep Defends President's Decision Against Narcotics Death Convicts

Jakarta (Antara) - Vice-President Jusuf Kalla defended President Joko Widodo's decision to reject the clemency petitions of narcotics convicts on death-row and stated that it must not be called human rights violation. "Narcotics convicts have violated human rights by causing other people's deaths," he told newsmen here on Wednesday after speaking at a workshop of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM). The Vice-President even asked newsmen to pinpoint the President's decision against the people who trespassed on human rights. "Which one? Didn't you listen just now that all people must abide by the law? Narcotics traffickers cause deaths, (and so) violate human rights laws," he said. Kalla opposed views that the President's decision to turn down the clemency petitions of narcotics convicts on death-row will not help reduce narcotics distribution. He observed that narcotics distribution will spread even wider if it was not stopped now and no action was taken against dealers for a deterrent effect. He added that the President's decision was in line with the court's ruling. The President did not sentence them to death, he only decided against granting them a presidential pardon. "The ruling was made by the court, from the district level to the Supreme Court. The convicts then pleaded for a presidential pardon and the President only said 'I cannot pardon you'. That is all," he pointed out. (*)