Komnas HAM, Komnas Perempuan And LPSK Sign MoU Protect Human Rights Defenders

JAKARTA - The National Commission (Komnas) for Human Rights (HAM), Komnas Perempuan, and the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) signed a memorandum of understanding or MoU on the protection and fulfillment of human rights rights.

Komnas HAM Complaints Commissioner Hari Kurniawan explained that the MoU called the 'Speed Response Mechanism of the National Human Rights Institution for the Protection and Fulfillment of Human Rights Defenders' Rights is the commitment of the three institutions to take strategic steps and synergize in fulfilling the rights of human rights defenders.

"This fast response mechanism aims to provide emergency protection for human rights defenders who experience threats, violence, and/or criminalization in carrying out their work," said Hari during a press conference on the sidelines of the National Conference of Human Rights Defenders in Bogor, West Java, Thursday, December 7, which was confiscated by Antara.

The presence of this fast mechanism is expected to cut the chain of tiered coordination and determine the distribution of joint communication roles and protocols, in accordance with the duties and authorities of each institution.

Hari explained, for human rights defenders who face an emergency situation because work on the promotion and enforcement of human rights can file complaints to one of the institutions to get services from Komnas HAM, Komnas Perempuan, and LPSK.

"The presence of a fast response mechanism for the protection and security of human rights defenders is expected to fill the vacant space for handling, recovery and operational policies for the protection and fulfillment of the rights of human rights defenders that are inclusive and encourage human rights defenders to continue to contribute to the promotion and enforcement of human rights in Indonesia," he said.

Hari explained that human rights defenders, including women who defend human rights, in Indonesia are often in dire condition. From year to year, human rights defenders face increasingly diverse dynamics and challenges.

"They often face serious risks and challenges and even lead to their gender or sexual identity," he added.

He said, Komnas HAM in the period from 2020 to August 2023 received and processed 39 complaints related to alleged human rights violations against human rights defenders.

Komnas Perempuan also noted that in the 2013-2023 range there were 101 cases of violence against women who were human rights defenders who were complained directly. The violence targets the body, sexuality, or identity inherent in her as a woman, either directly or through social media.

On the other hand, continued Hari, LPSK, which is tasked with providing protection for witnesses and victims of criminal acts, has limitations to reach human rights defenders who have legal status as suspects and defendants because the legal status is not a subject of LPSK protection.

"In the midst of limited regulations or positive laws that specifically provide protection for human rights defenders, Komnas HAM, Komnas Perempuan, and LPSK are committed to taking strategic steps and synergizing in the effort to protect and fulfill the rights of human rights defenders," he said.