Brimob Officer Beats Child to Death, KPAI Calls It a Serious Violation

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has urged law enforcement authorities to impose the maximum criminal sentence on a Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officer suspected of fatally assaulting a 14-year-old Islamic junior secondary school (MTs) student in Tual, Maluku.

KPAI Commissioner for Education, Leisure and Culture, Aris Adi Leksono, stressed that violence against children by state officials is not merely an ordinary criminal offence but a serious constitutional violation.

“We strongly condemn the alleged assault that led to the death of a child in Tual. This is not simply a legal violation — it is a constitutional violation,” Aris said in a written statement on Sunday, 22 February 2026.

KPAI has called on investigators to apply aggravating provisions as stipulated in Article 76C in conjunction with Article 80(3) of Law No. 35 of 2014 on Child Protection. Under these provisions, perpetrators of violence against children resulting in death face a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.

According to KPAI, there must be no impunity in this case, particularly given that the suspect is a state official. “If found guilty, the perpetrator must receive the maximum sentence. There must be no impunity,” Aris said.

Beyond criminal proceedings, KPAI also demanded that ethical sanctions in the form of dishonourable discharge be imposed on the perpetrator if found guilty. The commission said the ethics hearing should be conducted openly to maintain public trust in law enforcement institutions.

KPAI considers the use of violence by state officials to be a betrayal of the state’s mandate to protect children, as enshrined in Article 28B(2) of the 1945 Constitution, which guarantees children’s right to protection from violence and discrimination.

Furthermore, KPAI emphasised that justice does not end with punishing the perpetrator. The state is also obliged to ensure comprehensive recovery for the victim’s family, including psychological support, guarantees for the continuation of education for the affected family, and the fulfilment of restitution rights.

KPAI has also requested a national review of standard operating procedures governing the use of force by officials, particularly when dealing with children. A human rights-based approach incorporating child protection perspectives must become the standard in all law enforcement actions.

“This incident must serve as a loud alarm for all law enforcement officials. The state must not be negligent in ensuring every child is safe, in any situation and wherever they may be,” Aris said.

KPAI stated it will continue to monitor the legal proceedings in this case through to completion to ensure substantive justice for the victim and their family.