By now you’ve no doubt read the numerous reports in the media saying the governments of Brazil and the Netherlands have pulled their ambassadors out of Indonesia after our government executed a Dutch and Brazilian citizen (as well as four others) for drug-related offenses on Sunday. But there has been little explanation of what the ambassadors leaving meant in terms of Indonesia’s long-term diplomatic relationships with the two countries.
Indonesia’s minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, spoke with journalists today to clarify that the governments of Brazil and the Netherlands had not broken off diplomatic relations with Indonesia. She said they just recalled their ambassador “for consultations” related to the execution of death row by the Indonesian government.
“I need to dispel the idea that those two countries broke off diplomatic relations [with Indonesia]. Not at all,” Retno said during a meeting with chief editors from several media groups this afternoon, as quoted by Kompas.
Retno said that “withdrawing” and “recalling” ambassadors were two different things. She said she was sure that Indonesia’s diplomatic relations with the Netherlands and Brazil would remain friendly in the future.
The Brazilian government did say it was recalling its ambassador in Jakarta for consultation but also said that Indonesia’ execution of their citizen, Marco Archer Cardoso Mareira, would adversely affect bilateral relations.
A statement from the office of the president of Brazil released on Sunday stated, “The use of the death penalty, which has been criticized by international community, is a negative influence on the relationship between our two countries.”
Meanwhile, the Netherlands also recalled its ambassador in Jakarta and strongly condemned the execution of its citizen, Ang Kiem Soei, and the use of capital punishment.
Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said of the death penalty, “It is a cruel and inhuman punishment that amounts to an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity.”
