Fri Dec 20 08:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Indonesian President Grants Surprise Amnesty to 44,000 Prisoners

**JAKARTA** – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has sparked national surprise with his announcement of a mass pardon for 44,000 prisoners, barely two months into his term. The unprecedented move, utilizing the presidential prerogative of amnesty, encompasses political prisoners, including Papuan separatists and those jailed for cyberlaw violations related to free speech, as well as individuals with terminal illnesses, HIV/AIDS, and drug addicts slated for rehabilitation.

Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas cited humanitarian concerns and prison overcrowding as the primary reasons for the release. While details remain scarce, the decision has been hailed by Papuan activists and free speech advocates.

The move follows President Prabowo’s recent repatriation of foreign prisoners, including Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina death row inmate whose pardon was granted, and the remaining Australian members of the “Bali Nine” drug trafficking ring. These transfers, while distinct from the amnesty program, also highlight a surprising emphasis on mercy.

Legal experts have raised concerns about the lack of legal framework for such a large-scale amnesty, though the government plans to address this through a new bill. President Prabowo’s predecessors, Joko Widodo and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, employed more varied approaches to amnesty and capital punishment, with Jokowi implementing a strict “war on drugs” stance and Yudhoyono imposing and lifting moratoriums on executions. President Prabowo’s stance on capital punishment remains unclear.

The decision represents a significant departure from past administrations and reflects a previously unseen compassionate side of the 73-year-old president, whose past military career has been marked by controversy. The scale and speed of the amnesty has taken many by surprise, but could signal a shift towards a more humanitarian approach to justice in Indonesia.

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