Commission III Of The DPR Asks The National Police Headquarters-Komnas HAM To Go Down The Mountain To Handle Afif's Death Case

Police Headquarters, Jalan Trunojoyo, South Jakarta. (doc VOI)

JAKARTA - Commission III of the DPR asked the National Police Headquarters and Komnas HAM to intervene in handling cases of alleged torture against a junior high school student named Afif Maulana in Kuranji, Padang City, West Sumatra (West Sumatra). It is known that Afif's case emerged after it went viral on social media. Afif was allegedly abused by a member of the Directorate of Samapta Bhayangkara (Ditsabhara) of the West Sumatra Police (West Sumatra). In this case, there were 17 members of the Ditsabhara Polda West Sumatra who were examined ethically. However, Afif's death case was actually closed by the West Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Suharyono. The West Sumatra Police said Afif died from jumping into the river and suffered a broken bone.

"The case in Kuranji is an alleged torture, so it must be handled prudently (precisely and carefully). Therefore, even though the West Sumatra Police have moved quickly to handle it, I hope that there will also be an examination carried out by the National Police Headquarters by involving Komnas HAM," said Member of Commission III of the DPR, Taufiq Basari, to reporters, Tuesday, July 2. According to the Lampung electoral district legislator, serious handling of the alleged Alfif torture case needs to be carried out. "However, there is no harm if certain efforts are made using technology by the National Police Headquarters cyber team because this CCTV has become vital," said Tobas. The NasDem politician assessed that this torture conjecture should not only be focused on the death of Afif Maulana, but also on allegations of torture against 18 other people who were victims of torture. "Investigating the case of Afif Maulana cannot be stopped or closed, it must continue to be opened in tandem with the case of alleged torture of 18 victims who have been recognized by the Police," said Tobas.

Tobas reminded other torture perpetrators who have admitted that they should not only be processed for ethics, but must also be prosecuted. Because according to the member of the legal commission, torture is not just a violation of SOPs but a crime. Tobas explained, Indonesia has ratified the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading Punishment or Treatment (CAT) with Law no. 5/1998. This means that, said Tobas, the state is obliged to ensure that acts of torture by state officials are criminal crimes that must be prosecuted and must take progressive steps to stop the practice of torture.

"The state is obliged to provide recovery for victims of torture. Therefore, in the ongoing legal process for the alleged torture of 18 people, the state run by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights is obliged to coordinate the recovery of victims' rights and the protection of witnesses for the 18 victims by involving LPSK, Komnas HAM and KPAI," Tobas emphasized. "This handling is also important while the investigation for the Afif Maulana case remains to be continued. With the involvement of state institutions against these 18 victims, efforts can also help investigate the case of Afif Maulana's death," he concluded.