THE indiscriminate use of hard drug has become a common epidemic in most parts of the world. It has graduated into a topic of valuable concerns among governmental organisations, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), religious bodies and of course the general public.
The list of drugs commonly prone to abuse are, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, crack cocaine commonly referred to as crack, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ectasy, opium, marijuana which is in herbal form, psilocybin mushrooms which is colloquially called magic mushroom, phencyclidine (PCP) etc.
Originally, one of these drugs were meant for recreational purpose. Their application creates in the users, feelings of euphoria and excitement, energizing them beyond certain level as well as exposing them to intense cravings for sexual activities. These ‘exciting’ features they possess make them prone to addition. According to United States Drug enforcement administration, up to 75 percent of drug users become addicted.
The number of drug users have increased overtime. Most prominent among them are youths, whom during their addictive period exhibit violent traits, their mental and general health become questionable. A whole lot of abnormalities and irregularities comes with incessant use of drug.
Justifiably, drug are illegal substances as promulgated by the government of most countries of the world. They are made illegal because of their harmful nature. Various countries has of the world have varying punishment for its offenders. About 32 countries impose death penalty for drug smuggling.
Since the beginning of 2015, Indonesia government has executed a measurable numbers of drug offenders, among whom are predominantly foreigners.
April 29th execution has continued to evoke criticisms from various parts of the world. Out of the eight people that were killed on that day, 2 people were Australians, I was Brazilian, 4 of them were Nigerians, only one was from Indonesia.
In solidarity with the families and friends of the convicted and the massive effort made by United Nations secretary – Ban Ki Moon, NGOs and human right activist to plead for clemency, I will opine that capital punishment for non-violent drug offence is barbaric and unnecessary. This law is against advancement and it is a misuse of power by the Indonesian government and other countries that take part in this act.
According to Indonesia’s President, Joko Widodo (popularly called Jokowi), more than 30 people die of drug everyday in Indonesia. He said the country is in a state of ‘emergency’. This statistic has been clearly questioned by experts.
In reaction to Jokowi’s execution of their own, the government of Netherlands and Brazil have recalled their ambassadors.
Categorically stating, no sane minded individual will condone the trafficking and use of hard drug, however, it will be wise if attention is given to other weapon of man’s destructions like the sales and use of alcohol which is a most but subtle triggered behind violent act as displayed by youths,
Evidently, President Widodo is bent on ‘feeding his conscience’ and therefore not ready to heed to any plead what so ever. Some Indonesians are hugely in support of this ill development as they hope that the punishment will be extended to corruption.
A country where 72 hour notice is given to the ‘victims’ of execution, a country that has no tolerance for fair hearing and clemency, a country that executes more foreigners and save theirs, is therefore worthy of a thousand strokes of opposition. Article 44 of Indonesia’s penal code states that mentally challenged people are not to be prosecuted bt properly cared for and taken to psychiatric. Unfortunately, President”Widodo showed his superiority above the law by going ahead to order for the execution along with the BaliNine, a sufferer of Paranoid Schizophrenia. Mr. Rodrigo Gularte was caught in possession of 13.2 lb of heroin which he hid in a surf board. He was then after given a death sentence in February 2005. His pending execution became an item of concern to his family, activist and his country in general. His family and fellow inmate claimed that he ‘heared voices,’ he talked to himself and the wall. He did not realize he was going to be killed until the last minutes of his life when he was chained and taken to Nusakambangan Island where he was executed with 7others. His spiritual adviser said Gularte’s last words before his death were “am I going to be executed”?
Using his cousin, Angelita Mixfeldt word, Gularte was totally ignorant of reality.
Executed with Rodrigo Qularte are Nigeria’s Okwudili Oyatanze, Martin Anderson, Raheem Agbaje, Silvester Obiekwe Nwolise, the ‘reformed’ ring leaders of Bali 9, Andrew Chan and Myura Sukumaran (both Australians) and Indonesia’s Zainal Abidal.
Drug trafficking is criminal but what is more criminal is a capital punishment for it.
Moved by this undemocratic act, executive director of drug policy Alliance Ethan middleman has condemned the government. In his statement “Indonesia should be ashamed of its government’s atrocity. The execution of those eight people for non-violent drug offences will do nothing to reduce the availability of drug in Indonesia or other countries or protect people from drug abuse. All it demonstrates is a savagery of which governments are capable of one can only hope that the eight will not have died in vain.”
The seeming way out is for international communities especially the world power to sum up strategies in order to bring the situation to a lasting halt, otherwise, the world will continue to indiscriminately lose its own over every hint of sadism as experienced by Jokowi.
executed nigerians in Indonesia
