The Paniai Human Rights Violation Case Occurs In 2014, LPSK Says It Has Not Received The Witness's Request Until Now

JAKARTA - The case of gross human rights violations in Paniai Papua occurred in 2014. The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) admitted that until now there has been no recommendation or application for witness protection in this case.

"Until now there has been no request from law enforcement officials, including from Komnas HAM for LPSK to provide protection to witnesses and victims," said Deputy Chairperson of LPSK Maneger Nasution during a discussion entitled "Protection for Witnesses at the Human Rights Court of the Paniai Incident" in Jakarta, Thursday 18 August.

He said that at the internal level the institution is currently discussing to make a breakthrough because neither law enforcement officers, Komnas HAM, witnesses, and victims have yet to apply for protection.

"This breakthrough will lead to proactive action," he said, according to Antara.

Referring to Article 29 paragraph 2 of Law Number 31 of 2014, he said, it was stated that under certain circumstances LPSK could provide protection without an application being submitted.

In the context of proactive action, he said, LPSK offered to parties deemed to need protection or fulfillment of other rights as witnesses or victims.

In the discussion, Nasution explained what LPSK could provide to the protected, such as physical protection, fulfillment of procedures, medical assistance, psychosocial psychology to legal protection.

"What is also important in the Paniai case is our facilitation to calculate restitution and compensation to victims," he said.

In particular, compensation for victims of gross human rights violations, he added, in Law No. 26 of 2000 and Law No. 31 of 2014 concerning the Protection of Witnesses and Victims requires that compensation must go through a court decision.

"So, this is our discussion on how these rights can be fulfilled," he said.