KontraS Condemns Modern Slavery Practices By Former District Head

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) on Tuesday strongly condemned the modern slavery practiced by the inactive Regent of Langkat, Terbit Rencana Perangin Angin. 

“Such practices can be considered as modern slavery which is a cross-border crime that is truly regrettable,” said KontraS coordinator Fatia Maulidiyant in a written statement on January 25.

Apart from strong allegations of mobilizing slavery, the former regent is also incriminated in allegations of other human rights violations; from depriving a person’s liberty up to physical torture and isolating someone from outside information.

“We believe this crime was not committed solely by the Langkat Regent but involves other people, either deliberately or letting the crimes happen,” Fatia said. 

Previous reports suggest the house owned by the former regent had several prison-like facilities and cages used to imprison his workers. Constant physical abuses experienced by these workers were also reported. 

KontraS believes this case of modern slavery exposes the failure of the state’s protection towards workers in Langkat Regency. She also condemned the stand taken by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) which seemingly agrees with the Langkat Regent’s narrative that the cages were meant to rehabilitate drug users. 

Read: Migrant Care Logs 40 Workers Allegedly Caged by Ex-Langkat Regent

M ROSSENO AJI