This initiative aims to address the current lack of law regulating the repatriation of prisoners to their home countries.
"Currently, the legal basis of the transfer is still based on the good relations with other countries and the principle of humanity," he remarked at an online seminar on prisoners' repatriation, as quoted from an official press release on Saturday.
According to Mahendra, the repatriation of prisoners is grounded in several key principles, comprising sound relations between countries, humanitarian aspects, and the non-applicability of the death penalty in the sentencing country.
Furthermore, the repatriation of prisoners to their home countries involves conditions mutually agreed upon by both countries.
Several conditions that are regulated include the requirement for the prisoner's home country to acknowledge the sentence imposed by Indonesia and accept any unserved portion of the sentence, excluding the death penalty.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged the existence of legal loopholes within the prisoner repatriation system.
These loopholes may result in reduced penalties for prisoners upon their return to their home countries.
Consequently, cooperation between the two countries is crucial to ensure that the legal process that is undergone by prisoners aligns with the agreed-upon terms.
Additionally, he stressed that repatriating prisoners is worthwhile as it forms part of Indonesia's international diplomatic efforts.
"We will continue to strive for cooperation that benefits both parties by prioritizing human rights and justice," he emphasized.
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Translator: Walda Marison, Raka Adji
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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