MPR RI Calls for Strengthened Protection of Persons with Disabilities

Jakarta – Indonesia’s MPR (People’s Consultative Assembly) Deputy Chair Lestari Moerdijat has called for commitment to the protection and fulfilment of the rights of persons with disabilities to be strengthened consistently, following findings of alleged confinement of nearly 20,000 persons with mental disabilities in social care facilities across numerous regions.

The findings were previously disclosed by Perhimpunan Jiwa Sehat (Mental Health Association), which reported that confinement practices occur frequently in private or non-governmental social care facilities in various areas.

“The fulfilment of the rights of persons with disabilities in all aspects of community life must be carried out with full commitment, as laws and the constitution have mandated this,” Lestari said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.

According to her, allegations of such violence practices must be immediately followed up with concrete action by all relevant parties, including the central government, local governments, and managers of social institutions.

Lestari, as she is commonly called, emphasised that protection of persons with disabilities is not merely a moral responsibility but a constitutional mandate.

She viewed violence against persons with disabilities as a violation of human dignity and should not be allowed to persist.

To this end, the member of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives urged stakeholders to build an effective protection system to prevent violence and ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are fulfilled, including the right to care, rehabilitation, and a dignified life.

Beyond oversight of social institutions, Lestari also stressed the importance of collaboration between government and society in creating a safe and inclusive ecosystem.

She hoped that cross-sector coordination would be strengthened to prevent similar cases from recurring, whilst ensuring that service standards in social care facilities comply with human rights principles.

According to her, the protection of persons with disabilities must be part of an inclusive and equitable human resources development agenda.

“The state’s commitment to protecting and fulfilling the rights of every citizen, including persons with disabilities, must be consistently realised with support from all parties,” she said.