Komnas Perempuan: Delayed Access to Justice Can Be a Form of Torture

In commemorating International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) reaffirmed its commitment to advocating against all forms of violence against women, including practices that potentially constitute torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.

Commissioner Sondang Frishka Simanjuntak stated that the issue of torture against women often escapes attention because it is frequently masked by social norms, traditions, or practices considered normal. “Komnas Perempuan remains committed to advocating on the issue of violence against women, including various forms of treatment that could amount to torture, as one of the strategic issues we continue to push forward until 2030,” Sondang said during the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture commemoration in Jakarta on Friday (26/6).

According to her, many cases of torture against women are not immediately visible. In many situations, such actions are normalised and therefore not recognised as human rights violations. One area of concern for Komnas Perempuan is the condition of women in detention centres or prisons. The fulfilment of maternal rights for female detainees who are pregnant or have children is often neglected, potentially leading to inhumane treatment.

“The fulfilment of maternal rights for female detainees who are pregnant or have children often goes unnoticed. In fact, it must be ensured that these conditions do not become a space for torture or degrading treatment,” she said. Furthermore, Komnas Perempuan highlighted the phenomenon of ‘delayed injustice’, where the handling of cases involving victims of violence, particularly domestic violence and sexual violence, is significantly delayed. Sondang noted that many women struggle to access justice because their reports are not processed promptly or take an excessively long time to follow up. “The phenomenon of delayed injustice is a serious concern because delays in accessing justice represent a significant potential for torture or inhumane treatment of victims,” she stated.

Through the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Komnas Perempuan is urging all stakeholders to strengthen protections for women and ensure that every victim receives swift, fair, and human rights-based access to justice.