Indonesia executions: Amnesty International condemns 'theatre of cruelty' as firing squad deaths go ahead

'It did not have to come to this. The death penalty is never the answer'

Crosses for condemned drug convicts (from L-R) Australians Andrew Chan (L) and Myuran Sukumaran (C), and Nigerian Okwudili Oyatanze (AFP/Getty Images)

Amnesty International has issued a strong statement on the executions of eight convicted drug traffickers on Nusakambangan Island, off Java, following its lengthy campaign to halt their deaths by firing squad.

Australian men Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, Brazilian Rodrigo Gularte, Nigerian men Martin Anderson, Sylvester Nwolise, Okwudili Oyatanze and Raheem Salami, and Indonesian Zainal Badarudin were executed by firing squad after midnight.

Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:

"Thousands of Amnesty members and other ordinary people all around the world are deeply saddened by this news.

"The world has watched on as this theatre of cruelty played out, with this most tragic of endings. It did not have to come to this. The death penalty is never the answer."

Amnesty International's research director for south east Asia and the Pacific also issued a statement:

"These executions are utterly reprehensible– they were carried out with complete disregard for internationally recognized safeguards on the use of the death penalty.

"President Joko Widodo should immediately abandon plans to carry out further executions and impose a moratorium on the death penalty as a first step towards abolition.

"The death penalty is always a human rights violation, but there are a number of factors that make today’s executions even more distressing.

"Some of the prisoners were reportedly not provided access to competent lawyers or interpreters during their arrest and initial trial, in violation of their right to a fair trial which is recognized under international and national law.

"One of those executed today, Rodrigo Gularte, had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, and international law clearly prohibits the use of the death penalty against those with mental disabilities.

"It’s also troubling that people convicted of drug trafficking have been executed, even though this does not meet the threshold of 'most serious crimes' for which the death penalty can be imposed under international law."