Deputy Minister for Human Rights: Child Abuse in Tual Violates Human Rights Law
Violence claiming the life of a child has once again shocked the Indonesian public. This time, the tragic incident occurred in Tual, Maluku.
Deputy Minister for Human Rights (Wamen HAM) Mugiyanto has affirmed that the actions of a mobile brigade (Brimob) officer who allegedly assaulted a child to death constitute a serious violation of the Human Rights Act.
In a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Sunday, Mugiyanto expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He deplored that fatal violence involving law enforcement officers continues to occur.
“What the Brimob officer did constitutes a serious act of assault and a violation of the Human Rights Act and the Convention Against Torture, which we ratified in 1998,” he said, as quoted by Antara.
Mugiyanto referred to Law Number 39 of 1999 on Human Rights, which affirms the protection of the right to life and freedom from torture for every citizen. He also cited Indonesia’s ratification of the Convention Against Torture as a state commitment to preventing acts of violence by authorities.
The Ministry of Human Rights, he continued, urges that the investigation be conducted transparently and thoroughly. His office will directly monitor developments in the case.
“If proven guilty, the perpetrator must be brought to trial with firm and fair sentencing,” he said.
Beyond legal proceedings against the perpetrator, the Ministry of Human Rights also emphasised the importance of recovery for the victim and their family. The state, according to Mugiyanto, has an obligation to ensure the family receives the right to justice and recovery.
“The victim’s family must also receive the right to recovery from the perpetrator,” he said.
He added that this incident serves as a reminder for the police institution to continue carrying out internal reforms. Reform, he argued, must not stop at slogans.
“The National Police’s motto of serving and protecting the public must be proven through real action, not merely jargon written on the walls of police stations,” he stressed.
Brimob officer named suspect
Meanwhile, the Tual District Police have named a Brimob officer with the initials MS as a suspect in the alleged assault that killed a child with the initials AT (14), a madrasah tsanawiyah (Islamic junior secondary school) student.
Tual Police Chief AKBP Whansi Des Asmoro stated that the preliminary investigation has been elevated to a full investigation.
“The preliminary inquiry has now been upgraded to a formal investigation, and the status of Bripda MS has changed from reported person to suspect,” he said when contacted from Ambon on Saturday (21 February).
The incident began when a Brimob patrol was conducting a security operation using a tactical vehicle in the Tual City and Southeast Maluku Regency areas in the early hours of Thursday (19 February). The initial patrol was in the Mangga Dua Complex, Langgur, until approximately 02:00 Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT), before moving to Fiditan Village after receiving a report of an alleged assault near Tete Pancing.
At the location, Bripda MS and several officers alighted to provide security. Approximately 10 minutes later, two motorcycles sped from the direction of Ngadi towards Tete Pancing. Bripda MS reportedly swung a tactical helmet as a signal. However, the helmet struck AT’s right temple, causing the victim to fall from his motorcycle face down.
The victim was rushed to Karel Sadsuitubun Regional General Hospital in Langgur for medical treatment. However, at 13:00 WIT, AT was pronounced dead.
For his actions, the suspect has been charged under Article 76C in conjunction with Article 80 paragraph (3) of Law Number 35 of 2014 on Child Protection, carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment. He has also been charged under Article 466 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code relating to assault resulting in death, carrying a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment.