Brussels, 12/08/2004 (Agence Europe) - In a statement on behalf of the EU on 11 August, the Dutch Presidency noted that the European Union had learned 'with dismay that despite previous expressions of concern of the EU and human rights organisations to the Indonesian authorities (see Europe of 6 August, p.2), Indonesia has carried out an execution in Medan. In doing so, Indonesia has abolished its de facto moratorium on the death penalty.' The execution of Ayodhya Prasad Chaubey, an Indian citizen found guilty of drug trafficking in 1994, is the first execution in Indonesia since May 2001. The Presidency notes that the EU has discussed the EU's principled stance against the death penalty with the Indonesian authorities on several occasions, and 'urges the Indonesian government to refrain from carrying out more executions and thereby reinstall the de facto moratorium. Furthermore the EU hopes that Indonesia will consider the abolition of the death penalty and to enshrine this abolition in law'. There are currently at least 67 people on death row in Indonesia.