Indonesia implemented a firing squad to execute four individuals convicted of drug charges Friday, despite international outcry for the nation to cease the use of the death penalty in drug crimes. The four individuals [NYT report] comprised two Nigerians, one Senegalese and one Indonesian. As many as 10 other people may await the same fate, many of whom are foreign to the nation. It is still unclear how many prisoners have been transferred to Nusa Kambangan, the island on which Indonesia carries out executions.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo [BBC profile] has remained firm in his stance that drug smugglers must face harsh penalties despite international criticism. Earlier this week UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein [official profile] urged [JURIST report] Indonesia to halt the imminent executions of 14 individuals, convicted mainly for drug-related offenses. Last year a spokesperson for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) [official website] urged [JURIST report] the Indonesian government to halt all executions of people convicted of drug-related offenses. Also last year Brazil and the Netherlands recalled their ambassadors from Indonesia after an Indonesian firing squad executed six convicted drug traffickers [JURIST report], sparking international condemnation from human rights groups and foreign leaders.