Ta'if Penal Court in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Placesmap.net
Ta'if Penal Court in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Placesmap.net

Indonesian authorities have expressed outrage over Saudi Arabia’s decision to execute a domestic worker without first giving prior notice to the Indonesian government.

Tuti Tursilawati, an Indonesian migrant worker who worked in Saudi Arabia allegedly murdered her employer in 2011. At the time she claimed she acted in self-defence against her employer’s sexual abuse.

Tuti was executed on October 29. Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that Saudi Arabia went ahead with the execution without giving Indonesia prior notice, ABC reported.

Retno Marsudi, the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister, filed an official complaint to the Saudi government for not informing Indonesia before executing the woman. The execution came just a week after the Indonesian president met with the Saudi foreign minister to discuss the rights of migrant workers.

Human rights groups have also heavily criticized the execution. Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia Usman Hamid issued a statement on October 30, saying the Saudi Kingdom has yet again violated the diplomatic relations between the countries, tempo.com reported. Hamid also blasted Indonesia’s request to release their citizen when their own country still upholds the death penalty.

Hamid described the death penalty as inhumane, and one that violates the right of life guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Statistics indicate Saudi Arabia is the biggest working destination for Indonesian migrant workers. Earlier this month, the two countries signed an agreement to safeguard workers’ rights.

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