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Komnas HAM, police expand human rights cooperation
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Police personnel form a barricade during a protest that turned vioent in front of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) building in Jakarta on May 20. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak A.)
T
he National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is aiming to expand its cooperation with the National Police to promote a human-rights approach among police personnel nationwide.
Komnas HAM began cooperating with the North Jakarta Police precinct last year as part of a pilot project to help police personnel avoid human rights violations while handling criminal cases or maintaining public order, Komnas HAM commissioner Imdadun Rahmat said at the House of Representatives complex on Tuesday.
The program is expected to be rolled out nationwide after Komnas HAM signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the implementation of a human rights-based approach with the National Police.
"We're currently discussing the breakdown of the MoU. Hopefully it will be complete before the tenure of [National Police chief] Gen. Badrodin Haiti ends," he said.
The National Police will implement the program, while Komnas HAM will monitor their progress, Imdadun said.
The commission said that based on interviews conducted by Komnas HAM with local residents in North Jakarta, the pilot program had made a significant impact on police methods.
North Jakarta Police personnel had become more humane and responsive to the public since the program was launched in November last year, Imadadun said.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has ordered Badrodin to step up efforts to ensure police apply human-rights principles in carrying out their duties.
Human rights activists have long lambasted the National Police for alleged human rights violations in their handling of criminal cases or in managing public order. The most recent case was the death of suspected terrorist Siyono while in the custody of the National Police's counterterrorism squad Densus 88 in March. Siyono died due to bone fractures, leading to suspicions that he was tortured during his detention. (rin)
