On Poso executions
Jkt Post, 18 Oct 2006

I would like to comment on the letter from Melinda Tan titled Poso executions in The Jakarta Post on Oct. 12.
First, her letter does not contain factual matters since Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda never made any statement justifying the executions of Fabianus Tibo, Marianus Riwu and Dominggus da Silva as creating justice. The minister, on the sidelines of the UN meeting recently in New York, told the press, "The cases were reviewed by local courts, provincial courts and the Supreme Court.
"It was a pure enforcement of law and has nothing to do with the questions of tolerance between Islam and other religions. We have a truly independent judiciary. This is a new Indonesia."
Second, I see no religious bias with regards to the executions. The Indonesian judiciary does not discriminate against any offender for any reason, especially beliefs. The Indonesian Constitution states that all people are equal before the law.
I share the foreign minister's opinion that the cases went through all possible legal proceedings. Consequently, the executions had to be carried out in line with the judgment made by the independent courts and judges, in an effort to uphold the supremacy of the law.
The cases of the Bali bombers have also been reviewed by local courts, provincial courts and the Supreme Court. Even though the convicted bombers have refused the possibility of asking for clemency, the law grants their families the right to seek clemency. For that reason, the legal process has not finished, thus the perpetrators cannot be executed yet.
Last, we should be proud of being a nation with a high degree of religious tolerance. Therefore, we should maintain this tolerance and wipe away any thoughts or attitudes that may jeopardize harmony between believers.

BIANCA SIMATUPANG Jakarta