Komnas HAM Issues 7,000 Certificates For Victims Of Human Rights Violations

Office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM). BETWEEN/Muhammad Zulfikar.

The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) of the Republic of Indonesia said that it had issued around 7,000 certificates to people who were victims of past gross human rights violations. "For all of Indonesia, Komnas HAM has issued around 7,000 certificates," said Deputy Chairman of Komnas HAM Abdul Haris Semendawai in Padang, Antara, Thursday, June 20. However, continued Semendawai, of this number, not all victims have their rights as stipulated in Law Number 26 of 2000 concerning the Human Rights Court, and Law Number 31 of 2014. The law states that victims of gross human rights violations are entitled to psychological, medical, and psychosocial assistance or receive compensation for restitution and rehabilitation by the state. He said the service to victims of gross human rights violations also depended on the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK). Komnas HAM is only limited to conducting assessments and verification and then issuing a certificate that the person concerned has indeed been a victim of past gross human rights violations. "We made a certificate but whether the request for service was granted or not, it is entirely the authority of the LPSK," he asserted. The guard, who is also the former chairman of the LPSK, explained that in order to obtain the rights stipulated in the laws and regulations, the victims must first have a certificate in question as a victim of gross human rights violations. "So, if there are victims who want to get compensation, restitution and rehabilitation, they must first submit to Komnas HAM to get the letter," he said.

Based on Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 17 of 2022 there were 12 past gross human rights violations based on the results of the Komnas HAM investigation. The 12 cases included the forced disappearance of people, the Tanjung Priok case, the events of 1965 and 1966 and so on. "The victims of the case are entitled to a recovery from the government in accordance with the provisions of the legislation," he asserted.