Komnas HAM: Allegations Of Child Exploitation At The Oriental Circes Must Be Legally Resolved

Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation of Komnas HAM RI Uli Parulian Sihombing (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has asked for the case of alleged human rights violations experienced by former Indonesian Oriental Circuit (OCI) players to be legally resolved.

"Komnas HAM asks that this case be resolved legally on compensation demands for former OCI players," said Komnas HAM Enforcement Sub-Commission Coordinator Uli Parulian Sihombing, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, April 18.

In addition, Komnas HAM requested that the origins of the OCI circus players be cleared immediately because this is important for the victims to know their origins, identities, and family relations.

Uli explained that Komnas HAM had actually handled the case of children from circus players in the OCI neighborhood, Bogor, West Java, since 1997. At that time, Komnas HAM found four types of human rights violations.

First, violations of children's rights to know their origins, identities, family relations, and their parents. Second, violations of children's rights to be free from economic exploitation.

Third, violations of children's rights to obtain proper public education that can guarantee their future.

Fourth, violations of children's rights to obtain proper security and social security protection.

However, he said, based on the Decree Number Pol. G.Tap/140-J/VI/1999/Serse Um dated June 22, 1999, the Directorate of General Investigation of the National Police stopped investigating criminal acts of eliminating origins and unpleasant acts on behalf of FM and VS.

Then, in December 2024, Komnas HAM received a complaint from Ari Seran Law Office that the OCI case had not been resolved. This is because there has been no effort to meet the claim for compensation of Rp. 3.1 billion addressed to OCI.

Furthermore, Komnas HAM emphasized that hard training, especially for children, should not lead to torture. If this is done, there has been a violation of children's rights.

"These children also experience violations of the right to obtain proper education and the right to obtain security and social security protection in accordance with existing laws and regulations," said Uli.

Previously, former SCI players also complained to the Ministry of Human Rights in Jakarta, Tuesday (15/4). Their audience was received by the Deputy Minister of Human Rights, Mugiyanto.

Mugiyanto explained that based on the story told by the former circus players, there are many possibilities for criminal acts to occur.

According to Mugiyanto, they experienced violence, including the matter of losing their identity.

"There is a lot of violence, there are also important aspects, people don't think about it, it's about their identity. In fact, someone's identity is basic. They don't know the origin, don't know some of their parents. We have to open the way so they can identify their family, who they really are, "he said.