The Existence of the Death Penalty After the New Criminal Code from a Human Rights Perspective
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Abstract
The death penalty is a form of punishment that continues to spark debate within Indonesia’s criminal justice system, particularly following the enactment of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code (KUHP). This study aims to analyze the existence of the death penalty under the new KUHP from a human rights perspective. The study employs a normative legal method using a legislative approach and a conceptual approach. Data were obtained through a literature review of primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials, which were analyzed qualitatively. The results of the study indicate that the new Criminal Code retains the death penalty but classifies it as a special, alternative punishment accompanied by a ten-year probationary period. This provision reflects a shift in the paradigm of punishment from a retributive approach toward a more humanistic and rehabilitative one. From a human rights perspective, the death penalty remains controversial as it potentially conflicts with the right to life as a fundamental right. However, the reform of the death penalty in the new Criminal Code reflects the state’s efforts to balance the interests of public protection with respect for human rights. Thus, the death penalty in the new Criminal Code represents a compromise between the interests of law enforcement and humanitarian values.
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References
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