JAKARTA - RI Minister of Law and Human Rights (Menkumham) Yasonna Laoly asked the public not to see children who are dealing with the law as petty criminals.
"People must leave the stigma against children who are in conflict with the law," said Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly in a written statement received in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Friday, July 23.
He said the Indonesian constitution clearly states that every child has the right to survival, growth, development, and protection from violence and discrimination.
"The same goes for children who are in conflict with the law," said Yasonna.
Even though they must be included in the juvenile criminal justice system and undergo a criminal period as well as coaching, it does not mean that the rights to guidance, education and health services are neglected.
Coaching activities for children who are in conflict with the law are carried out to speed up the process of returning children to the family and community. This goal will be easier to achieve if all parties are committed to leaving or releasing the bad stigma.
"They should no longer be seen as petty criminals, but as future candidates for the nation whose rights must still be protected," said the minister, who is also a PDI-P cadre.
In commemoration of National Children's Day 2021, 1,020 fostered children received remission from the Directorate General of Corrections, Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham).
Of this number, 1,001 children received national child remission I or a partial reduction in their sentence and 19 others received remission II or were immediately released.
Efforts to protect the best interests of children in conflict with the law can come in various forms, including through child remission. Granting remissions is not just a mandate from the law, but a real form of government concern.
"This is also to prioritize the interests of children and accelerate the reintegration of children into society," he said. The hope of granting remissions is that children can reunite more quickly with their families and communities in order to reorganize their future for the better.
Yasonna also reminded his staff who are in charge of fostering children who are in conflict with the law at the Child Special Guidance Institute (LPKA), to always prioritize the best interests of children.
"Perform roles and functions according to the principles of correctional facilities by prioritizing the best interests of the child and ensuring that all children's rights are fulfilled," he said.
The lives of children who are in conflict with the law do not stop at LPKA, their journey is still long and it is the duty of the state to guide and provide provisions to be able to take this long road.
According to him, the future of the nation lies in the hands and shoulders of the children. Therefore, protecting the interests of children, including children in conflict with the law, is tantamount to protecting the nation's future.
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