Government Affirms Commitment to Human Rights Protection in Accordance with 17+8 Aspirations
By: Kumala Adi Saputra (*
In the dynamics of national life, respect for and protection of human rights cannot be viewed as a burden, but rather as the foundation of democracy and social justice. The 17+8 aspirations, long echoed by civil society, are a concrete reflection of the people’s desire for a stronger state presence in protecting human dignity. The government has affirmed its commitment by taking progressive steps through the revision of the Human Rights Law and the establishment of a more transparent, independent mechanism. All of this demonstrates the government’s seriousness in making human rights a key pillar of national development.
Minister of Human Rights, Natalius Pigai, stated that the revised Human Rights Law will regulate various important aspects related to the development of human rights throughout Indonesia. According to him, this step not only updates existing regulations but also strengthens human rights institutions so they can work more optimally. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), as the vanguard on humanitarian issues, is guaranteed stronger institutional support. Furthermore, Natalius also emphasized that other institutions, such as the National Commission on Children, the National Commission on Violence Against Women, and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas Perempuan), will also be committed to ensuring that human rights are protected. The Disability Office will be strengthened both in terms of its functions and institutions. This effort reflects the state’s commitment to embracing all levels of society without discrimination.
The revised law is also expected to address public concerns regarding more comprehensive human rights protection. To date, there have often been overlapping authorities or institutional limitations in handling human rights violations. By strengthening regulations and institutions, the government aims to ensure that there are no legal loopholes that deprive victims of access to justice. This aligns with the spirit of the 17+8 aspirations, which demand guaranteed rights for citizens from various groups, including children, women, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
The Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, emphasized that the President has welcomed the initiative of six State Human Rights Institutions to form an independent non-judicial investigative team regarding the demonstrations last August. According to Yusril, this team has a stronger standing and independence than the Joint Fact-Finding Team (TGPF), which is usually established through a Presidential Decree. While the TGPF ultimately reports to the president, the team formed by the six human rights institutions is fully independent. and further strengthen credibility in the eyes of the public.
This step demonstrates a paradigm shift, whereby the resolution of human rights issues is now strengthened by the involvement of independent institutions, ensuring the continued emphasis on the government’s role. The state provides space for independent institutions to uncover the truth more objectively and comprehensively. This is crucial to ensure there is no public doubt about the fact-finding process, particularly in cases involving large-scale demonstrations or widespread human rights violations. By prioritizing independence, the government strives to address the public’s demands for justice and transparency.
The Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Anis Hidayah, stated that the formation of the independent team demonstrates the commitment of each human rights institution to fact-finding and compiling a comprehensive report. This team is tasked not only with collecting data but also with gathering firsthand information regarding the victims’ conditions, the government’s efforts, and the necessary reparation measures. Therefore, the team’s work can provide strategic recommendations for the government in upholding truth, justice, and ensuring comprehensive reparation for victims.
Transparent fact-finding efforts, while also providing space for civil society participation, will strengthen the state’s legitimacy in the eyes of the public. For victims and their families, the presence of this independent team is a form of recognition of the suffering they have experienced and a guarantee that their voices will not be ignored. Meanwhile, For the government, this step reinforces its commitment that human rights protection is not mere rhetoric, but rather part of a concrete and measurable policy.
Furthermore, strengthening human rights institutions and establishing an independent team also serve as an important bridge to prevent similar violations from recurring in the future. The state exists not only to resolve existing problems but also to build a system capable of providing early warning and preventive protection. In this context, the aspirations of 17+8 find relevance because they align with the public’s need for comprehensive human rights guarantees.
This bold step by the government certainly deserves broad support. There is no healthy democracy without human rights protection, andThere can be no human rights protection without strong institutions and trusted independent mechanisms. Collaboration between the government, human rights institutions, and civil society is essential to ensuring that social justice is truly felt by all citizens.
With these concrete steps, the government demonstrates that the people’s aspirations are not only heard but also concretely acted upon. The aspirations of the 17+8 Movement, which reflect the people’s desire for certainty of justice, are now supported by more assertive policies. This proves that dialogue between the people and the state can produce just solutions and strengthen the foundations of democracy.
All of these efforts are a moral call to all of us to entrust human rights protection to a government that has demonstrated its seriousness. The aspirations of the 17+8 Movement are now being answered through concrete policies. Let us together support the government’s steps to strengthen the human rights protection system, for a more just, transparent Indonesia, and respect for the dignity of every human being.
(* The author is a human rights activist from West Java
