Death row inmates plead for clemency<\/p>\n
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post\/Tangerang<\/p>\n
\"Ibu, please help us. Don't let us be shot by the firing
\nsquad ... We still have families and children,\" Edith Yunita
\nSianturi told visiting First Lady Kristiani Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono on Thursday, seeking clemency from the death sentence
\nimposed on her.<\/p>\n
Sianturi is one of six female inmates on death row at the
\nTangerang Penitentiary who were paid a visit by Kristiani and the
\nState Minister for Women's Empowerment Meutia Hatta, accompanied
\nby Banten deputy governor Ratu Atut Choisiah.<\/p>\n
The visit to the women cells was in conjunction with the
\nWomen's Day on Dec. 22.<\/p>\n
As the six only had two minutes to meet Kristiani, they
\ntearfully tried to stop her from leaving. Presidential bodyguards
\nand prison officers pushed them back in.<\/p>\n
Before leaving, Kristiani told the warden and guards to treat
\nthe inmates well and asked that the convicted women write a
\njournal \"which could be a mirror for others to avoid committing
\ncrimes\".<\/p>\n
\"President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf
\nKalla are working hard to build a prosperous, peaceful and just
\ncountry. So, you must abide by the law when you're out of here
\nsomeday. Never return to jail,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Meutia pledged to hold a one-hour breath exercise
\nsession each day in the prison to maintain the inmates' mental
\nhealth.<\/p>\n
The women's penitentiary currently houses 260 inmates and 60
\npercent of them were convicted for drugs offenses, including
\nthose on death row: Sianturi, Merry Utami, Meirika Franola and
\nRani Andriani, and two Thai nationals, Nonthanam M. Saicom and
\nBunyong Kaosa Ard.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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