Human Rights Bill regulates ad hoc teams; Komnas HAM: 'This authority has been ours since 2000'

Jakarta, Kompas.com - National Human Rights Commission ( Komnas HAM ) member Amiruddin has responded to the revision of the Human Rights law, which regulates the commission’s authority to form ad hoc teams for human rights violation investigations.

Amiruddin stated that the establishment of ad hoc teams has been Komnas HAM’s jurisdiction since 2000.

‘The authority to form ad hoc investigative teams has been Komnas HAM’s since 2000, as outlined in Law No. 26/2000 on Human Rights Courts,’ Amiruddin said in a text message to Kompas.com on Thursday (28 May 2026).

He added that ad hoc teams are commonly referred to as theHuman Rights Violation Investigative Commission ( KPP-HAM ).

‘Given that the power to establish ad hoc investigative teams already falls under Komnas HAM’s jurisdiction, there is no need to regulate this in other laws,’ he said.

Amiruddin emphasised that the commission currently requires stronger institutional structure and clear functions and powers to efficiently handle emerging human rights issues.

‘Komnas HAM needs a robust institutional framework to support the functions and powers granted by law,’ he said.

Furthermore, he stated that the commission requires professional personnel combined with civil servants with adequate knowledge.

Previously, the formation of ad hoc teams to investigate alleged human rights violations was to be addressed in the revision of Law No. 39/1999 on Human Rights.

Article 84(3) of the revised Human Rights Bill states that Komnas HAM can form ad hoc investigative teams for suspected human rights violations, consisting of national human rights institutions and community representatives, if deemed necessary.

‘If deemed necessary, Komnas HAM can form ad hoc investigative teams for suspected human rights violations, consisting of representatives from national human rights institutions and the public,’ states Article 84(3) of the Human Rights Bill draft, downloaded from the Ministry of Law andHuman Rights website, on Monday (25 May 2026).

Article 84(2) states that Komnas HAM can issue compulsory summons ( sub poena ), request documents, and conduct on-site inspections based on a local district court chairman’s determination.

Article 84(4) further stipulates that Komnas HAM must submit investigation results of suspected human rights violations involving criminal elements to law enforcement agencies to be followed up in accordance with applicable regulations.