Highlighting Cases Of Children In Legal Conflict, Puan Maharani Asks For Social Rehabilitation To Be Prioritized

Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, highlighted the number of children involved in legal cases. He asked the government to prioritize the social rehabilitation process for children who are in conflict with the law or children with legal conflicts (ABH). "For children who are in conflict with the law, the criminal process must comply with the applicable law. However, the child's rights should not be forgotten. Put forward the social rehabilitation process," said Puan in an electronic message received in Jakarta, Wednesday, April 26. In accordance with Law Number 11 of 2012 concerning the Juvenile Criminal Justice System, the government is mandated to provide social rehabilitation through social welfare implementation institutions (LPKS). Puan assessed that the rehabilitation of ABH as the perpetrator, the victim or witness, was very important to support child psychology. "Child victims, child witnesses, or children of perpetrators who are waiting for the judicial process and children who have been sanctioned must be given training programs in the LPKS itself. LPKS also functions for social services in the implementation of social welfare," said the first woman who served as Chair of the DPR RI. For this reason, Puan asked the government to ensure that the facilities and experts accompanying ABH really carry out their duties optimally. "We need facilities that accommodate counseling, socialization and treatment activities for healing psychological wounds for children caused by a long legal process," said Puan. Recovery through legal rehabilitation is said to restore ABH's confidence and protect him from trauma due to conflict with the law. That way, said Puan, ABH can return to his social function in society when his legal problems are resolved. "Because ABH as a child has rights that must be guaranteed, protected, and fulfilled by parents, families, communities, the government, and the state," said Puan. The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture added that children's rights to full education must also be guaranteed even though they are in conflict with the law. This is as regulated in Law No. 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection. Puan also asked that ABH's health rights be given properly. " “ Ensuring that children who are in conflict with the law get their rights are an effort to protect children so that they can grow and develop optimally without violence and discrimination, "he said. Furthermore, Puan also reminded the importance of providing protection for the identity of children who are in conflict with the law. Therefore, all parties are asked to maintain ABH's privacy for the continuity of their future regardless of past mistakes. "In addition, protecting identity is also a right for children. Do not let anyone try to disseminate privacy matters," said Puan. The DPR RI is certain to respect the legal process that is running against ABHs. Even so, Puan advised that the approach taken was in accordance with the Law on the Criminal Justice System. “ We believe law enforcers have worked according to juvenile justice procedures in children with legal conflicts. But I still remind you that children's rights are not forgotten, ” said Bung Karno's grandson. On the other hand, Puan appealed to all parents to always supervise their children, even though the child had entered adulthood. Especially in this era of openness, children easily get information that if not well screened can have an impact on bad things. "Parents and family support is very important in shaping children's character. Including how a good social environment will be able to protect our children, ” said the mother of two children.