Virgin’s Branson calls for Indonesia death row clemency

British businessman Richard Branson has joined calls for clemency for convicted foreigners on death row in Indonesia, as an Indonesian minister warned of a renewed influx of asylum seekers into Australia if it continues to push the issue. Virgin founder Branson said on Wednesday he and fellow members of the Global Commission on Drug Policy had written to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, calling the planned execution of up to 11 foreigners a barbaric and inhumane form of punishment.

What we have learned is that treating drugs as a health issue, not as a criminal issue, it actually helps lower the number of drug deaths.

Richard Branson, speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The planned executions by Indonesia of the death row inmates, most convicted on drug smuggling charges, have been condemned internationally. The group includes citizens of Australia, France, Brazil, the Philippines, Ghana, and Nigeria, as well as Indonesia. Widodo, who has signalled a hard line on drug crimes, has stood firm against appeals for clemency, warning others to stay out of Indonesia’s sovereign affairs. The executions have been delayed while a number of legal appeals remain outstanding. Indonesia’s chief security minister, Tedjo Edy Purdijatno, suggested on Tuesday Indonesia could release some 10,000 asylum seekers to Australia if Abbott continued to antagonise Jakarta over the executions. Purdijatno, a controversial figure in Indonesia, noted that Canberra and Jakarta had been working together to prevent asylum seekers attempting to reach Australia by boat.

There are more than 10,000 [asylum seekers] in Indonesia today. If they are let go to Australia, it will be like a human tsunami.

Tedjo Edy Purdijatno, Indonesia’s chief security minister

Politics indonesia death row