Komnas HAM: Little Aresha Daycare Case is Not a Gross Human Rights Violation, But...
Amiruddin Al Rahab, a member of Komnas HAM, stated that the alleged abuse of children at the Little Aresha daycare in Yogyakarta does not fall under the category of gross human rights violations. Nevertheless, the case is regarded as a violation of children’s rights that must be handled through the enforcement of criminal law.
“If the question is whether this is a gross human rights violation or not, this is an issue that does not constitute a gross human rights violation as regulated by law,” said Amiruddin when met at the Yogyakarta Police Headquarters following a meeting with the Yogyakarta Police Chief on Monday (18/05/2026).
He assessed that the case constitutes a violation of children’s rights as stipulated under the Child Protection Act. Consequently, the resolution must be pursued through legal processes against the responsible parties.
“However, this is a violation of children’s rights regulated by the Child Protection Act. Therefore, one way to resolve it is through law enforcement, by taking criminal steps against those deemed responsible for this daycare,” he explained.
Furthermore, he revealed that the meeting with the Yogyakarta Police Chief was intended to ensure that law enforcement in this case continues to progress. He expressed hope that the police would not hesitate to enforce the law.
“This means the police will continue to investigate this incident, and all those responsible will certainly face legal sanctions later,” he said.
“I hope the Police Chief proceeds with this context without hesitation. To protect children’s rights, we must not hesitate in enforcing the law,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Yogyakarta Police Chief, Kombes Eva Guna Pandia, explained that investigators from the Child Protection Unit (PPA) are currently examining witnesses, including the victims’ parents. At least 126 people have been interrogated, and the process is ongoing.
“The PPA unit and the Criminal Investigation Unit are continuing their work, specifically examining witnesses from the victims’ parents; so far, approximately 126 people have been questioned,” he explained.
He also emphasised that there is a possibility of additional suspects being named in the case, especially as there is still one class of students whose parents have yet to be interviewed.
“This process is ongoing; there is one more class whose parents we will examine. There is a possibility of adding suspects later, but for now, we are focusing on the current progress,” he concluded.