Bali Nine member's death row appeal denied

A Jakarta court has decided not to allow Bali Nine ringleader Andrew Chan to challenge the decision to deny him clemency.

A decision on Myuran Sukumaran's fate is expected shortly.

The unusual appeal in the state administrative court is likely the pair's last legal avenue to save them from the firing squad for the 2005 Bali Nine heroin smuggling bid.

The court in February rejected their challenge, determining the decrees by President Joko Widodo were not within its jurisdiction.

Lawyer for Chan and Sukumaran, Leonard Arpan, last week said they had done their best for their Australian clients, who await execution on Nusakambangan island with seven other prisoners.

On Sunday, Jakarta's Catholic Archbishop, Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, told reporters he was saddened by Indonesia's use of the death penalty, which he described as a "failure of humanity".

Also distressing for the archbishop was the severe treatment of Chan and Sukumaran when they were moved last month from their Bali jail cells to Nusakambangan, which involved a fighter jet escort.

"These men were handcuffed, was it necessary to be guarded by Sukhoi?" he told reporters after his Easter Sunday service.

"For me that's not strictness, for me that's very saddening because it's obvious that power wants to show itself and human dignity is not cherished."

Jakarta is awaiting all of the 10 prisoners in line for the firing squad to run out of options for court appeals before setting a date for their executions.

MORE to come...