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Police most reported for torture in law enforcement: Komnas HAM
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) received 176 reports of torture committed by police officers between Jan. 1, 2020, and June 24, 2024, making the force the state institution with the highest number of reports of torture of suspects and detainees.
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Plain-clothed police officers arrest several individuals suspected of inciting a clash between supporters of the Persib Bandung and Madura United soccer teams on May 31, 2024, in the Kedung Cowek area of Surabaya, East Java, following a match between both teams at Bangkalan Stadium in Bangkalan, East Java. (Antara/Didik Suhartono)
T
he government and law enforcement bodies need to improve mechanisms to prevent torture and excessive use of force by law enforcement enforcers, especially the police.
Between Jan. 1, 2020, and June 24 of this year, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) received a total of 282 reports of torture cases committed by law enforcement and other state bodies. The reports received covered torture during interrogation as well as of prisoners.
Most of the cases, or 176 reports, were committed by police personnel. The military and prison officers followed, with 15 and 10 reports respectively.
“Although the police already have guidelines they must adhere to when undertaking investigations, there’s still a gap in the implementation [...] where human rights issues are still yet to be mainstreamed,” Komnas HAM commissioner Anis Hidayah said in a discussion on Wednesday.
Human rights group Amnesty International Indonesia also reported an increasing trend of torture by law enforcement in the last three years. During the 2021-2022 period, the group found 15 cases of torture, but the figure doubled in the 2023-2024 period.
Around 75 percent of all cases found by Amnesty were committed by police officers, deputy director Wirya Adiwena said.
“The ratification of the convention against torture is supposed to ensure that the authority held by law enforcement officers is not misused to oppress the public. Unfortunately, it still happens in Indonesia,” Wirya said.
