REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister A.M. Fachir said the death sentence, as implemented under Indonesian law, meets the provisions of international law.

"In my opinion, the Indonesian legal policy is not at fault. International law does not prohibit the death sentence," Fachir remarked here on Monday in response to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's call for the death penalty in Indonesia to be eliminated.

According to Fachir, the Indonesian government has always been vocal about its position on the death penalty being handed down to criminals found guilty of drug-related crimes, having discussed the issue on previous occasions with the international community, including with countries that no longer implement the death sentence.

"When we look at the international community, it is clear that some countries do not issue death sentences, while some others continue to issue them. There are also some countries that have issued a moratorium against the death penalty. Indonesian law on this issue falls within the framework of international law," Fachir observed.

Fachir added that each country had adopted its own stance on the issue of death penalties.

"The implementation of such a penalty depends on the interests and circumstances of each country. In my opinion, we shouldn't have to debate the policy. We have our own policy, and we will implement it according to our national interests," Fachir stated.

The Vice Minister confirmed that the UN will not place any sanctions on Indonesia relating to the latter's recent issuance of a death sentence for drug dealers.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Ban Ki-moon had delivered his objection to the death sentence to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi.

"The UN opposed the death sentence under all circumstances. The UN Secretary General asked the Indonesian authority to revoke the death sentence issued to the drug dealers," Dujarric noted.

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