Special Mechanism Required for International Prisoner Transfers
The Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has emphasised the need for a simple and easily implementable mechanism for the execution of prisoner transfers between countries. According to him, Indonesia’s existing experience in conducting prisoner transfers can serve as a reference in formulating more effective provisions.
“Let’s just try to make it simple. There is no need to make it overly complicated,” said Yusrol while presiding over a meeting with the Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs, Agus Andrianto, and officials in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Yusril asserted that the drafting of the Draft Law (RUU) on International Prisoner Transfers should be directed towards simple, clear, and applicable regulations, drawing upon established practices.
He expressed hope that coordination between the Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Affairs, and the Ministry of Law could accelerate the completion of the Bill’s substance. The Deputy for Legal Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry, Nofli, stated that the drafting process has essentially passed several stages, including internal meetings, ministerial-level meetings, discussion forums with academics, and public participation efforts.
According to Nofli, the substance of the Bill has also undergone a harmonisation process and has received a letter from the Ministry of Law, meaning that any remaining refinements can be made without restarting the entire process.
“This Bill is actually ready to be submitted to the House of Representatives (DPR). If there are aspects that still need tidying up or adding, we are ready, but if the concept is sufficiently complete, I believe it just needs to be pushed forward,” said Nofli.
Nofli also emphasised the importance of accelerating the completion of the Bill given the ongoing legislative agenda. He expressed hope that the completed process could be followed up immediately so that the International Prisoner Transfer Bill does not face further delays in subsequent legislative agendas.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Affairs, Asep Kurnia, highlighted several technical aspects that need to be aligned within the draft regulation, including provisions regarding the procedures for prisoner transfers and funding arrangements.
He noted that the provisions governing the procedures for prisoner transfers will be further regulated through a coordinating ministerial regulation. It was stated that this would be reviewed to determine the most appropriate form of regulation, including the possibility of regulation through government regulations or specific regulations from the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Affairs.
Furthermore, he added that the funding aspect will also be aligned with the requirements for executing prisoner transfers, including budgetary support and technical guidelines within the correctional environment.