Komnas HAM, Indonesia LOIPR ICCPR
13.
Public participation in the discussion of Revision of the KPK Law and the Criminal Code
Bill has gained the attention of Komnas HAM. The Government and the House of
Representatives as lawmakers have not involved the public enough in the process. This
has led to protests against revision of the KPK Law and the Criminal Code Bill on
September 24-30, 2019 in several cities. Komnas HAM noted that, following mass
gatherings in Jakarta, 1,489 people were detained, 1,109 were released, and 380 were
named suspects.1
PART II THEMATIC ISSUES
a.
Capital Punishment
14.
The 1945 Constitution (constitution) recognizes the right to life. However, some of
Indonesia’s national laws still regulate the capital punishment, including the Criminal
Code, the Terrorism Law, the Corruption Eradication Act Law, and the Psychotropic
Substances Law. It is even imposed for criminal acts not categorized under ‘most serious
crimes’. Execution of capital punishment has not been carried out since 2016. However,
until 2019, the Indonesian Court of Justice still imposed capital punishment in as many
as 80 of its rulings. This figure has almost doubled from the previous year (2018) when
only 48 rulings were made. In fact, until April 2020, capital punishment is still being
imposed. Moratorium on capital punishment is only limited to the actual execution. By
law, the punishment is still applicable.
15.
Komnas HAM found indications of violations of fair and impartial judicial principles
against suspects and/or defendants on death penalty, including in the capital punishment
on children, torture in detention, provision of legal counsel and/or interpretation service
during the judicial process until a court decision with permanent legal force, appeal,
cassation, judicial review, or clemency is given. Komnas HAM draws attention to the
case of Yusman, a child sentenced to death on May 21, 2013 due to an error in registering
the year of birth. Aside from the age issue, Yusman, who did not speak Indonesian, was
also not accompanied by an interpreter during the judicial process. During the
investigation, Yusman was not accompanied by a lawyer. On February 23, 2017, Yusman
was acquitted by a judicial review.
16.
Komnas HAM took note of the progress of the Criminal Code Bill. Capital punishment
is no longer listed as principal criminal sanction. It now becomes a special criminal
sanction imposed as an alternative punishment and in an non-absolute manner. However,
capital punishment in the Criminal Code Bill still applies to various criminal acts
including criminal acts that are not included in the category of most serious crimes.
Komnas HAM recommends that Indonesia immediately abolish capital punishment in
national law in a gradual and planned manner over the next five years, by starting to limit
the types of crimes punishable by death penalty, conducting a comprehensive moratorium
on capital punishment both in terms of judgment and the execution.
17.
Komnas HAM noted that up to October 2019 there were a total of 271 death row inmates.
Out of this number, as of April 2020, as many as 60 people were in the waiting period of
more than 10 years, among whom 5 people had been in the waiting period for more than
1
Findings of the September 24-30, 2019 Incident of the Student Rally on Revision of the KPK Law and Criminal
Code Bill, Komnas HAM, January 2020.
3