The dynamic Sir Richard Branson has joined the chorus of those protesting Indonesia’s ever impending execution of two Australians on death row.
He may sound like too random of a person for commenting on the Bali Nine executions, but the “Virgin” mega-man is actually a member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy.
The Brit and his fellow commissioners have written to Indonesian president Joko Widodo, citing the death penalty for 10 soon-to-be executed drug crime convicts as barbaric and inhumane, reports Australia’s ABC.
“What we have learned is that treating drugs as a health issue – not as a criminal issue – it actually helps lower the number of drug deaths,” he told ABC News Breakfast.
“It limits the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and AIDS or hepatitis C, it reduces drug-related crime, and it allows people who struggle with addiction to become useful members of society again.
“We would love to be able to show the Indonesian government how countries like Portugal and others have completely overcome their drug problem by taking a very, very different approach.”
The mogul says he’s even ready to go to Indonesia and argue his case in person.
“I am willing to go and get on a plane today, tomorrow, as are the other commissioners,” he said.
“What we want to do is try to be helpful. All of our research is evidence-based and we have studied different national approaches in great depth.”
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