Minister Arifah responds to death of Bandung student in clash between pupils

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Arifah Fauzi has stressed the importance of strengthening violence prevention efforts among children and adolescents through education, environmental oversight, and the involvement of various stakeholders.

“Environments characterised by minimal supervision and tolerance of risky behaviour can increase children’s vulnerability to conflict and violence. Therefore, strengthening violence prevention education, early detection of risky behaviour, and monitoring of children’s social environment are critically important,” said Minister Arifah Fauzi in Jakarta on Tuesday.

She made these comments in response to the death of a student in a clash between rival groups of pupils in Bandung, West Java.

Since the death is suspected to have resulted from assault, she stated that the act potentially violates Articles 76C and 80(1) of Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection.

Should investigation reveal that the suspected perpetrator remains a minor, the case must be handled in accordance with Law Number 11 of 2012 concerning the Juvenile Criminal Justice System (SPPA), with paramount emphasis on child protection principles and restorative justice approaches.

Previously, a 17-year-old student (initials FA) in Year 11 died on Cihampelas Street in Bandung on Friday evening (13 March). The victim is believed to have been involved in a clash with a group of students following a joint fast-breaking activity.