Law enforcement needed to halt illegal abortions

Law enforcement needed to halt illegal abortions

JAKARTA (JP): Experts and scholars called on the government
yesterday to punish doctors and patients, who are involved in
illegal abortion practices, to the full extent of the existing
laws.

Senior gynecologists Enud Jaya Suryana and Yusnizaf from Cipto
Mangunkusumo General Hospital, and forensic expert Agus
Purwadianto -- all from the University of Indonesia -- said legal
enforcement would serve as a warning to others, particularly
doctors.

Speaking at a symposium on abortion yesterday, the men
questioned why law enforcers had failed to impose the existing
laws, such as the Criminal Code and Health Law No. 23/1992.

"Have there been any doctors (who performed illegal abortions)
sent to jail? None so far! But, if they are locked up, maybe the
others will be discouraged from following suit," Yusnizaf said.

"Have there been any people, who asked for an (illegal)
abortion, serve time in prison?"

"There's no other way to stop these practices unless the law
is exercised."

Under the Criminal Code, abortion is strictly prohibited.

Chapter one of Article 80 of the Health Law stipulates a
maximum of 15 years in jail and a Rp 500 million fine for those
performing illegal abortions.

Article 15 of the same law allows abortions to be carried out
only under certain medical situations, following a recommendation
from a medical practitioner and approval by either the pregnant
woman, her husband or her family.

Yusnizaf, who is also a lecturer at the university's School of
Medicine, said doctors and the public should assist police and
judges in ensuring the laws are enforced.

His colleague, Enud, suggested medical recommendations for
abortions only be issued by doctors who have nothing to do with
abortion practices.

And the doctors should be those aligned with state-owned Cipto
Mangunkusumo General Hospital, the well-known gynecologist told
the symposium.

Enud, also a senior lecturer at the university, called on the
government to set up an independent body to deliberate on medical
recommendations made outside the hospitals' authority.

"The body, whose members might include people from various
professional backgrounds, apart from doctors and gynecologists,
should be able to give advice to the government (on the medical
recommendation)."

Outcry

Agus said the realization of legal enforcement against people
involved in illegal abortions was badly needed.

Enforcement will curb corruption and collusion practices
between gynecologists and clients who request illegal abortions.

The issue of illegal abortion practices sparked a public
outcry late last year after dozens of fetuses and dead babies
were found dumped at several sites in North and Central Jakarta.

Police have arrested and questioned several doctors, nurses
and suspected mothers but so far none of them have been brought
to court.

During the meeting, Enud disclosed that medical students
learned how to perform abortions during a specialist gynecology
class held by Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital.

But some students later used the technique to perform illegal
abortions for high prices, he said.

"Those who showed no interest in performing illegal abortions
were even threatened (by certain people) with the possibility of
failing the class," he alleged, giving no details.

"Some decided to work the night shift in 24-hour clinics to
earn extra money.

"In that case, tutors were no longer on hand to supervise
them."

The abortion class sometimes took place at the Raden Saleh
clinic in Central Jakarta, he said. The clinic has since been
labeled an alleged haven for women seeking abortions. (09)