Criminal code

Criminal code

From Media Indonesia

We are witnessing an increasing number of robberies of bank clients, murders of taxi drivers and eviction of powerless people from their homes, not to mention the torture of suspects during investigations.

In fact the Criminal Administration Code clearly stipulates procedure in all areas from the investigation process to the prosecution. The Code also regulates a suspect's rights that have to be observed by the investigating team, prosecutors and judges in the quest to uphold the law.

However, in practice, investigators often ignore suspects' rights, so that it is often the case that during a trial defendants withdraw their statements already written in the investigation report. This only shows the weakness of the Criminal Administration Code. The weakness may result from an absence of sanctions for investigators who violate the code.

I am deeply concerned over the prevailing recent situations. Whether or not torture is used during investigations, we should not blame anybody. The most important thing now is that the Criminal Administration Code, particularly those articles concerning the investigation process, should be revised.

AHMAD NURULIHWAN

Banten, West Java