Indonesia, Long-awaited Sexual Violence Bill coming as early as next month

19-03-2022

Margaret-Elisabeth Mc Coy 

Indonesia Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence 

For far too long have woman and victims of sexual abuse waited for a sexual violence bill and they might be able to see one coming into force as soon as next month. Activists, The National Commission on Violence Against Woman (Komnas Perempuan) and other civil groups have proposed a legislative framework in 2012. The President of Indonesia, Widodo, told government to accelerate the new legislation so that more cases can be build faster and convicted securely. The process has been stalled by several political parties and most vocal about were parties with a conservative direction. Deputy justice minister, Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, has expressed the seriousness of how much there is a need for the bill to come as fast as possible, as many case have not been able to be process properly and in an adequate timespan. 

Since 2018 more than 6,000 sexual violence cases have been report however, only around 300 cases have been settled in court. Nonetheless, the bill seems to just scratch the surface of the problem and civil groups have expressed their concerns regarding the limited scope of the bill. The legislator will only include five sex crimes, not including sexual slavery, sexual harassment, exploitation, forced marriage, forced prostitutions, forced contraception and abortion and more. The government wants sexual slavery and forced marriage to be included in the bill but the final decision is made by the parliament. Woman Rights Activist are urging government to finally make steps in the right direction and help those in needs. 

Sources and further readings:

Stanley Widianto (2022, March 17). In Indonesia, hopes rising for long-awaited sexual vioelnce bill. REUTERS. Retrieved March 18, 2022, from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesia-hopes-rising-long-awaited-sexual-violence-bill-2022-03-17/

Rangga Pandu (2022, February 15). Indonesian governments’s commitment to sexual violence bill. AntraNews, Retrieved March 18, 2022, from https://en.antaranews.com/news/215329/indonesian-governments-commitment-to-sexual-violence-bill