The Ministry Of Human Rights Finds Allegations Of Human Rights Violations In The Case Of Former OCI Players

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Human Rights (HAM) found allegations of violations of law and human rights in the case of a former circus at the Indonesian ORIGINal Circuit (OCI) that has occurred since around the 1970s.

Deputy Minister of Human Rights, Mugiyanto, said the findings were the result of an in-depth investigation of the case carried out by the Human Rights Complaints Follow-up Team on complaints from nine former OCI players on April 15, 2025.

"What has been experienced by former SCI players, as told to us, should no longer happen in the future," said Mugiyanto in a press conference following up on the handling of the case of a former OCI player at the Ministry of Human Rights Office, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 7, which was confiscated by Antara.

The Director General of Human Rights Services and Compliance, Munafrizal Manan, explained that one form of alleged violations of the law and human rights in the case of OCI, namely violations of children's rights to find out their origin, identity, family relationship, and parents.

Former SCI players are also allegedly violated their right to be free from economic exploitation, obtain a decent public education and can guarantee their future, and obtain security and social security protection.

In addition, the Ministry of Human Rights also suspects that the victims experienced physical violence that could lead to persecution, sexual violence by one of the parties complained about, and were trapped in modern slavery practices.

Based on the results of the handling, said Munafrizal, the Ministry of Human Rights found that OCI accepted the handover of children from its parents to be cared for and raised by the family of one of the founders of the circus group.

Since 1970, OCI has housed children aged two to six who are placed in several HM's homes. The children were then trained and directed to become circus players.

Munafrizal explained that the type of action experienced by former circus players since being accommodated by OCI was taken and separated from their parents by being lured to be appointed as children at the age of 4, 5, or 6 years.

At school age, they were not sent to formal school because they had to go around the area to play circus. OCI circus players who are sick and pregnant are also forced to continue working.

While employed, they were not given a decent wage and adequate health services. In fact, the former circus players who were children at that time had to do jobs at high risk, such as doing attractions at an altitude of 15 meters.

In addition, the Ministry of Human Rights found uncertainty in the status of the SCI legal entity, including the year it was stopped. The complainant stated that there was a relationship between OCI and Taman Safari Indonesia, while the defendant said there was no relationship between the two entities.

"However, based on the findings of printed mass media reporting documents in 1997, the mention used in these various cases is the 'Orental Circuit Taman Safari'," said Munafrizal.

According to him, this case is complex because of the length of the time span of events, the problem of determining legal subjects, the aspect of proof, and the vulnerability of victims who have experienced social and psychological impacts to this day.

Therefore, the Ministry of Human Rights emphasizes that a multidimensional approach involving a combination of legal, social, psychological, and ethical aspects is important to seek the fulfillment of a sense of justice for victims.