Minister Pigai Demands Full Legal Process for Alleged Captor, Rejects Restorative Justice

Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has called on law enforcement agencies to prosecute Taufik Hidayat, the alleged perpetrator of the confinement and abuse of a woman identified by the initials YTR (29) in Bandung Regency, West Java, without applying restorative justice mechanisms.

Pigai stated that the alleged physical and psychological torture of the victim has violated human dignity and caused prolonged trauma, meaning the handling of the case must prioritise law enforcement. “I request legal proceedings and that there be no restorative justice. Punishment must be imposed so that similar acts do not recur in the future,” he said.

According to Pigai, the Ministry of Human Rights is among the first agencies to deploy personnel via the West Java Regional Office to monitor the handling of the case. He emphasised that the state must be present to ensure the victim receives justice and protection of her human rights.

Pigai assessed that the alleged abuse, accompanied by physical and psychological torture, not only harms the victim but also impacts the family and creates fear within society, particularly among women. Therefore, all legal provisions regarding the protection of women and children must be applied consistently.

He noted that women and children are vulnerable groups that must receive state protection through various institutions, such as the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), and the Ministry of Human Rights. “Humanity involves a relationship between men and women to care for and protect one another, not to torture one another,” he remarked.

Pigai also urged law enforcement agencies to consider the sense of justice for the victim and her family when handling the case. He argued that the measure of justice must consider the perspective of the victim and her family, rather than solely relying on the assessments of other parties.

The government, Pigai continued, will continue to push for law enforcement in cases involving human rights violations to prevent recurrence and ensure optimal protection for vulnerable groups.

Previously, the West Java Regional Police arrested Taufik Hidayat, who is suspected of confining and abusing a woman, YTR (29), in Bandung Regency for approximately three years.