Academics: Revision Of The Prostitutes Law Must Protect The Indigenous Peoples Of Babel

Commission XIII of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia conducted a public test of the Draft Law on the Protection of Witnesses and Victims in Pangkalpinang, Babel Islands Province (ANTARA).

PANGKAL PINANG - Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Bangka Belitung University (UBB) Ari Muhammad stated that the revision of the Witness and Victim Protection Law (PSK) at Commission XIII of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia must provide protection to indigenous peoples in the area.

"We encourage the DPR and the government to provide protection to indigenous peoples to defend customary land from mining companies and oil palm plantations," said Ari Muhammad in Pangkalpinang, Saturday.

He said some time ago Commission XIII of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia conducted a public test of the Bill on the Protection of Witnesses and Victims, in order to hear directly the inputs and aspirations of various parties and institutions in the Province of the Bangka Belitung Islands.

"The public test of this bill is very interesting, especially the protection of witnesses and victims of environmental and forestry crimes who are considered to lack protection for vulnerable communities," he said.

In addition, the object of environmental and forestry crime in the Witness and Victim Protection Act is also considered to be still not firm, so it can harm vulnerable community groups or indigenous peoples in this area.

"We hope that the law on the protection of witnesses and victims will also be strengthened by government regulations or special regulations to protect the indigenous people," he said.

According to him, currently indigenous peoples in the Babylon Islands in some areas need protection over land areas and customary forests from the massive expansion of oil palm plantations.

"How does this law provide protection to indigenous peoples who are intimidated or criminalized by elements. Do not let indigenous peoples in this area also experience criminalization and intimidation experienced by the internal children's tribe in Jambi," he said.