Komnas Perempuan Is Furious That Torture Continues Even Though There Are Regulations

JAKARTA - Komnas Perempuan Commissioner Veryanto Sitohang admitted that it is sad to see cases of torture continue to occur even though Indonesia has ratified the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment.

"Although it has been ratified since 1998, ironically cases of torture still continue," said Komnas Perempuan Commissioner Veryanto Sitohang at a webinar to commemorate International Anti-Torture Day in Jakarta, Monday 27 June.

In fact, Law Number 5 of 1998 is considered by Komnas Perempuan to be rarely used as a reference in dealing with cases of torture.

On this basis, a number of human rights institutions that are members of the Work for the Prevention of Torture (KuPP) continue to encourage the Indonesian government to immediately ratify the Optional Protocol Convention Against Torture (OPCAT).

OPCAT, he explained, is the protocol of choice that regulates the mechanism for preventing torture. Like other treaties, the treaty adds a clause to the main treaty, namely the convention against torture.

"The focus of this protocol is prevention through surveillance of places of detention and places of deprivation of liberty," he explained.

He added that although the government has not yet ratified the OPCAT, Komnas Perempuan appreciates the passage of the Sexual Violence Act (TPKS).

In the law, one of the recognized forms of sexual violence is sexual torture. The inclusion of sexual torture in the form of sexual violence in the TPKS Law is expected to be able to handle and even prevent cases in the future.

In line with that, the Chairperson of Komnas Perempuan Andy Yentriyani emphasized that the Indonesian constitution guarantees the right to be free from torture under any conditions. This is reinforced by Indonesia's commitment to oppose torture through Law Number 5 of 1998.

The issuance of the TPKS Law, she said, is an important breakthrough and must be ensured by strengthening the mechanism for preventing torture.