Bishop accuses Indonesia of death penalty 'double standard'

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop has called on Indonesia to show the same mercy to the Bali Nine pair awaiting execution that it wants for its own citizens overseas.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has instructed that "optimum protection" be offered to 229 Indonesian citizens sentenced to death overseas, including accused drug felons, in countries such as Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, Fairfax Media reports.

This included hiring lawyers to defend them, holding meetings with family members and seeking amnesty from the heads of states or victims' families.

"Australia's efforts to seek a stay of execution and a reconsideration of the clemency bids of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran are consistent with the Indonesian government's own efforts on behalf of its death row prisoners overseas," Ms Bishop said.

"I call on the Indonesian government to offer the same mercy to Australian citizens it is pursuing for its own nationals, including those convicted of drug offences."

Bishop will introduce a parliamentary motion on the issue today.