Pubdate: Sat, 06 Oct 2012
Source: Jakarta Globe (Indonesia)
Copyright: 2012 Jakarta Globe
Contact:  http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5226

BATTLE AGAINST DRUGS NEEDS A UNITED FRONT

Indonesia faces a long and hard battle against drugs. In recent
months, the police have arrested several people who were allegedly
trying to smuggle drugs into the country.

The nation's war against drugs must be fought on all fronts. The
police are at the forefront but schools, families and the judicial
system must all play their part. Unless we have strong laws to deter
the sale of drugs, it will be an uphill battle.

Currently, there are 3.8 million to 4.2 million drug users in
Indonesia. If we fail to tackle this problem head on, this number will
grow, putting at risk our youth and the future of this country. We
must stop drug trafficking to prevent Indonesia from becoming a major
market for drug dealers.

Against this background, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has aired
concerns over the Supreme Court's decision to revoke the death
sentence against drug kingpin Hengky Gunawan, saying it could harm the
country's fight against drugs.

Hengky was arrested in Surabaya in May 2006 on suspicion of
involvement in the large-scale production and distribution of ecstasy
pills. He was found guilty of the charges and should have faced the
death sentence but the court handed down a 15-year term instead on the
grounds of human rights.

The ruling, the BNN said, could send the wrong signal to smugglers,
drug dealers and drug makers in Indonesia that they won't face the
death penalty.

The Supreme Court's latest decision argued that the death sentence is
unconstitutional and breaches and the Law on Human Rights. The court
is of course the final arbiter on such decisions and its judgement
must be respected.

But as illustrated by the decision of the House of Representatives to
summon the Supreme Court judges to explain their decision, this is a
hot button issue. We must find the right balance between keeping our
nation free from drugs and respecting human rights.
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