Minister Pigai: Determination of Torture Status in YTR Case Should Be Decided Through Court Proceedings

Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has stated that the determination of whether the alleged abuse against a 29-year-old woman, identified as YTR, in Bandung, West Java, meets the definition of torture under the United Nations Convention against Torture should be decided through the judicial process. According to Pigai, at this initial stage of handling the case, the primary focus should be on the alleged abuse that caused physical and psychological suffering to the victim, as well as fulfilling her rights to protection and justice, rather than debating legal definitions. The statement was made in Jakarta on Monday in response to the view of Komnas Perempuan, which stated that the YTR case did not yet fulfil the elements of torture as defined in the UN Convention. Pigai said, ‘This is abuse that caused physical and mental torture. Therefore, I do not want to enter into debates about definitions.’ He added that the debate over the definition of torture should be left to the judicial system, arguing it is inappropriate to discuss such definitions while a victim is still seeking justice. From a human rights perspective, Pigai views the case as an alleged assault that caused physical and mental suffering, requiring legal action and protection for the victim. ‘For me, this is an act that injures human dignity,’ he said. Regarding Komnas Perempuan’s statement, Pigai suggested that the conclusion regarding the elements of torture was reached without fully considering the development of the case. ‘Perhaps Komnas Perempuan did not read the situation, thus making a premature statement to the public,’ he remarked. Previously, Pigai had also requested that law enforcement officials process the case of alleged confinement and abuse against YTR without resorting to restorative justice mechanisms. He argued that legal proceedings are necessary to provide a sense of justice for the victim and to prevent similar incidents from recurring.