KPK Gives COVID-19 Vaccine To Juliari Batubara Cs, ICJR: Priority Should Be To Overcapacity Officers Or Detention Centers

KPK Prisoner Juliari Batubara underwent a COVID-19 vaccination (DOK. PR KPK)

JAKARTA - Director of Indonesia Choice for Justice Reform (ICJR) Erasmus Napitupulu assessed that the provision of COVID-19 vaccination should be prioritized for officers, detainees, and prisoners in overcapacity detention centers (detention centers) or prisons (prisons).

This was conveyed by Erasmus in response to the provision of COVID-19 vaccination against 39 KPK prisoners, including former Social Minister Juliari Peter Batubara.

According to him, detention centers and prisons with overcapacity need more vaccines to prevent transmission of COVID-19 among them.

"Vaccination should be given priority to officers, detainees and prisoners in overcrowding detention centers and prisons," Erasmus was quoted as saying in his written statement, Friday, February 26.

He reminded that conditions of overcapacity detention centers and prisons should be a problem that the government is concerned with in the midst of a pandemic. Because, of course, residents and officers will not be able to apply health protocols.

This is also corroborated by ICJR's data. Erasmus said that up to January 18 there had been 1,855 COVID-19 infections in 46 Correctional Unit of detention centers throughout Indonesia, consisting of 1,590 prisoners, 122 prison / prison officers, 143 people who were not known to be prisoners or officers infected with COVID 19.

From this data it is also known that 4 assisted residents have died due to COVID-19.

Furthermore, Erasmus said that the vaccination policy for prisoners and detention centers in Indonesia has actually been regulated by the government through the Director General of Corrections (PAS) who issued a Decree (SK) PAS-UM.01.01-01 concerning Preparations for Implementing Covid-19 Vaccines on WBS at the Office. Territory (Kanwil) of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia.

However, in the letter, the Director General of PAS only instructs the Head of the Corrections Division to coordinate with the Head of the Provincial Health Office regarding the need and plans for providing COVID-19 Vaccines for Officers in Corrections.

"The rest are still in the coordination and socialization stages which have not touched the core of the problem. From this policy, it can be seen that the plan to provide the COVID-19 vaccine for officers and prisoners in detention centers and prisons is unclear," he said.

So, with this condition ICJR urges the government to prioritize prison officials and community institutions, as well as detainees. "Ignorance will lead to human rights violations, especially in conditions of overcrowding and transmission in very dangerous detention centers and prisons," said Erasmus.

"The distinction between KPK detainees is also a discriminatory act by the government," he added.

Previously, the KPK carried out COVID-19 vaccinations against 39 corruption case detainees including former Social Minister Juliari Batubara who was a suspect in the bribery case for the provision of COVID-19 social assistance in Jabodetabek.

"Of the total 61 KPK detainees, 39 have been vaccinated and 22 others have been postponed for health reasons," said Acting KPK spokesperson for prosecution Ali Fikri in a written statement, Wednesday, February 24.

This program has been run by the KPK from Thursday, 18 February to 23 February. Not only prisoners, this vaccine is given from the leadership, supervisory board, employees, to journalists.