Komnas HAM pushes for stronger national torture prevention

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is pushing for strengthened national torture prevention efforts through synergy between the government, law enforcement, and human rights institutions to ensure respect for human dignity and prevent recurring torture practices. Komnas HAM Chairperson Anis Hidayah said strengthening prevention is a shared commitment in commemorating International Anti-Torture Day, involving the government, law enforcement, and six institutions—Komnas HAM, Komnas Perempuan, LPSK, KPAI, Ombudsman RI, and the National Commission on Disabilities—united under the Cooperation for the Prevention of Torture (KuPP). “On this Anti-Torture Day, we commit to urging all parties, law enforcement, the government, and the human rights institutions within KuPP to continue prevention and handling efforts against torture, to push for human dignity to be fully respected,” Anis said in Jakarta on Thursday. As a basis for strengthening these preventive measures, Komnas HAM recorded receiving and following up on 151 complaints of alleged torture from January 2024 to May 2026. The victims in these complaints were mostly individuals, detainees, and members of the public. “Throughout January 2024 to May 2026, Komnas HAM received and followed up on at least 151 public complaints related to torture cases. The most common victims in torture cases are individuals, detainees, and the public,” she stated. Anis said torture practices are still found in various forms, including during police interrogations, overcrowded detention facilities, lack of legal assistance, and sexual violence against women during detention. These practices were also among Komnas HAM’s findings when handling reports related to protests from August to September 2025. Meanwhile, LPSK Chairperson Achmadi said prevention efforts must be accompanied by fulfilling victims’ rights through protection and recovery services. According to him, torture victims are entitled to medical, psychological, psychosocial, and other forms of recovery services to ensure their sense of security and access to justice. “Therefore, synergy and collaboration with all ministries, institutions, and all stakeholders to prevent and handle torture must continue to be built and realised together,” Achmadi said. The International Anti-Torture Day commemoration was also used by KuPP members to strengthen coordination in monitoring detention facilities, formulating policy recommendations, and pushing for the strengthening of the national torture prevention mechanism in accordance with human rights principles.