Komnas HAM urges human rights mainstreaming in police
Anis made the statement in response to the case of Second Police Brigadier DP, who was reportedly beaten to death by a senior officer inside a police dormitory at the South Sulawesi Regional Police headquarters complex.
“Such practices must be stopped, especially since Indonesia ratified the International Convention Against Torture 27 years ago. Therefore, the internalization of human rights must continue to be mainstreamed within the police institution,” she said in an interview with ANTARA at the Komnas HAM office in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Anis explained that when invited by the Police Reform Acceleration Commission, Komnas HAM openly presented records of public complaints concerning alleged human rights violations by police officers.
“Practices of abuse, violence, and repressive actions seem to have become a culture within the police in carrying out their duties and functions, both in law enforcement and in internal relations as well as relations with the public. This must not continue,” she said.
Komnas HAM, therefore, hopes that the Police Reform Acceleration Commission will produce recommendations that uphold human rights principles in order to improve the performance of officers and the police institution as a whole.
“It is important to strengthen commitment and prioritize the use of human rights as a guideline in carrying out their duties,” Anis added.
Previously, a young police officer identified as DP, holding the rank of Second Police Brigadier, was reported dead after allegedly being assaulted by a senior officer at the South Sulawesi Regional Police dormitory. Authorities are still investigating the exact cause of death.
“We cannot yet confirm whether the victim was beaten by a group or not. What is clear is that we have questioned six people, including DP’s peers and seniors. There may be more to be questioned later,” said Head of the Internal Affairs Division of the South Sulawesi Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Zulham Effendi, in Makassar on Sunday.
The incident came to light after police received information from the Samapta Directorate of the South Sulawesi Regional Police regarding the victim’s complaint after the dawn prayer following sahur.
Initial reports stated that the victim fell ill while at the dormitory and was later taken to Daya Regional General Hospital for medical treatment.
However, the victim was pronounced dead. The family, who had initially been informed that he was ill, found irregularities when they saw bruises on his body and blood around his mouth.
Suspecting foul play, the family transferred the body to Bhayangkara Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine whether violence had occurred while the victim was at the dormitory.
“To prove whether there was violence, we took the body to Bhayangkara Hospital, as he was initially brought to Daya Hospital. I have instructed the Head of the Medical Division of the South Sulawesi Regional Police and the examining doctors to conduct a proper examination, without covering anything up, if there was indeed violence,” he said.
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Translator: Fath Putra Mulya, Primayanti