Indonesian professor: I forgave my son’s killer, but I support the death penalty
Koerniatmanto Soetoprawiro, of Parahyangan Catholic University, speaks of Pope Francis’ appeal for the abolition of capital punishment: "Even if the offender was killed, it would not bring my son back to life. I preferred mercy, although I support the death penalty for drug traffickers. " From 1979 to 2015, 66 executions in Indonesia for crimes ranging from political corruption to terrorism.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - I decided "to forgive my son’s killer, I have no idea who he is and I do not want to know. I decided to take this stance because I do not want my heart to be filled only by feelings of revenge. And I do not even know the killer, if he were caught by police, he would be given the death sentence. But this would not bring my son back to life, even if the court decides on the death penalty". With these words Koerniatmanto Soetoprawiro, professor of law at the Catholic University of Parahyangan (Wets Java), spoke to AsiaNews about the difficult process that led him to forgive the man who in April of 2012 shot his second son, Harrindaka Maruti while robbing their home.
The professor expressed his view on the death penalty in force in Indonesia, following an appeal by Pope Francis last February 21 for the abolition and moratorium on convictions during the Jubilee of Mercy. On the one hand, Soetoprawiro prefers "to discuss the issue from the perspective of mercy", forgiving the murderer of his son; on the other, the professor is in favor of capital punishment for drug traffickers, "the silent killer" of thousands of young people: "Over time it has become increasingly necessary to punish these people with death, because they continue to operate their dirt on the market also behind bars. On the one hand I very much agree with the Catholic Church that promotes the culture of life. But, for the sake of humanity and young people, the Church should generate a new theological thought that preserves them from the influence of this negative silent killer ".
From 1979 to 2015, 66 executions have been carried out in Indonesia for crimes ranging from political corruption to terrorism. In January 2015, six people linked to drug trafficking were executed by firing squad. At present, 64 people are on death row, awaiting execution, all of for drug trafficking. Among them there are 28 Indonesians and eight Nigerians.
The country has done much to discuss the decision taken last year by President Joko Widodo, to execute convicted drug dealers. AsiaNews has gathered different opinions on the matter.
According to Catholic politician Joseph Umarhadi, Pope Francis’ appeal must be put into practice: "As Catholics, our mission is to promote the spirit of forgiveness between people, helping them to repent for their sins and to forgive others. If we succeed in this, there is no theological basis in support of the death penalty ".
Ibnu Prakoso, politician and former candidate for vice mayor in Banten province is of a different view: "The death penalty is still needed and should be applied in respect of serious offenders, such as the drug mafia. There can be no mercy for them. As for the perpetrators of other crimes, I agree that the death penalty should be reconsidered. In this sense the appeal of Pope Francis is to be sustained".
.png)
23/02/2019 08:14
13/02/2019 11:45
