Jokowi Orders AGO, Komnas HAM to Handle Past Human Rights Cases

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on March 15 ordered Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin to coordinate with Komnas HAM (National Commission on Human Rights) in handling possible severe human rights violations. 

This is one of Jokowi's two orders to Burhanuddin regulated under Presidential Instruction No.2/2023 concerning the Implementation of Recommendations for the Non-Judicial Resolution of Serious Human Rights Violations.

The second order in the presidential instruction ratified by the President is “Accompanying and verifying victims’ data.”

This instruction came after the President received the official report from the team dedicated to solving the human rights issue (PPHAM) and after Jokowi officially acknowledged 12 severe human rights violations that had happened in the country’s past. 

"With a clear mind and a sincere heart, I, as the Head of State, acknowledges that severe human rights violations did occur in various incidents," Jokowi said.

Komnas HAM had also asked the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud Md to facilitate the human rights watchdog and the Attorney General's Office to investigate violations through a judicial mechanism.

The request was submitted after there was an acknowledgment from Jokowi. "This acknowledgment shows the government's commitment as the duty bearer in restoring victims' rights, to provide compensation, restitution, and rehabilitation in accordance with laws and regulations," said Komnas HAM Chairperson, Atnike Nova Sigiro, in a written statement on January 11.

Atnike assures people that the Komnas HAM fully backs the government’s guarantee that there will be no more future cases of severe violations through the establishment of effective human rights enforcement.

There will also be policy changes in various sectors and institutional arrangements in state institutions, and capacity building for law enforcement and state civil servants through human rights education and training.

Currently, Atnike reports that there are more than 6,000 victims of severe human rights violations that have been verified by Komnas HAM. This means victims have received official recognition from the government.

"Of course, we are now talking about a much larger number that exceeds 6,000," said Atnike at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, January 16.

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