KPU prepares internal regulations for the prevention of sexually violent crimes

Jakarta – The Indonesian General Election Commission (KPU) is drafting an internal decision letter (SK) on sexual harassment (TPKS).

This was reported by Plt. KPU Indonesia Chairman Mohammad Afifuddin at the KPU Indonesia Office, Jakarta, Friday, July 12, 2024, in response to the three recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission in response to Presidential Decree No. 73P dated July 9, 2024 regarding the dishonorable dismissal of Hasim Asi ari as a member of the RI General Election Commission.

“We have also discussed this issue. Basically, we will also implement and create, for example, not a task force, but a circular or an order that will deal with issues related to efforts, for example, to prevent violence against women and things like that; we are now preparing them,” said a man identified as Afif.

Secondly, Komnas HAM called on the KPU to establish a working group (task force) in each electoral management institution with the task of preventing and combating criminal acts of sexual violence.

However, according to Afif, the KPU does not use the task force because it is just a name, as until now there is a national monitoring group (vassal) in all institutions, including the KPU Indonesia.

Afif explained that the KPU Indonesia alert team is directly under his department, which regulates matters related to chaotic devices.

“Normally it is us who give guidance and clarifications, including some of us who complain to the DKPP. So the spirit is the same, it is the pace,” he said.

Over time, he said, the KPU will make this decree known to internal parties.

“Internal control also takes immediate action to predict adverse events in the community,” he said.

Fighting against sexual violence

On Thursday, the National Human Rights Commission responded to Order No. 73P dated July 9, 2024 regarding the contemptuous dismissal of Hasim Asiari as a member of the Indonesian General Election Commission.

Komnas HAM Vice President Pramono Ubaid Tantowi, in his statement in Jakarta on Thursday, hoped that the presidential decree could be a boost to strengthen the government’s commitment to combating sexual violence.

“This presidential order is expected to be a boost for the government to fulfil its obligations to combat acts of sexual violence that humiliate and discriminate against the rights of women as victims and to guarantee justice for the victims,” Pramono said.

Komnas HAM also hopes that the President’s order will serve as a reminder to all public officials that they are obliged to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of all citizens, especially the rights of women.

The election organizers called

Komnas HAM calls on the election management institutions, including the KPU, the General Election Supervisory Authority (Bavaslu) and the Honorary Election Organizing Council (DKPP), to immediately implement the following three points.

First, the implementation of the Sexually Violent Offences Act (TPKS Act) by developing a political commitment to prevent sexually violent crimes in all institutions.

“And it is expressed in the form of KPU regulations, Bawaslu regulations and DKPP regulations,” Pramono added.

Second, establish a task force in each electoral management agency to prevent and combat criminal acts of sexual violence.

“KPU, Bavaslu and DKPP, as part of democratic institutions, provide a safe and free space for women to carry out all their activities,” she said.

Third, a comprehensive assessment of regulations, policies and practices to reinforce commitments to implement women’s political rights.

“Especially in relation to the representation of women in the management of political parties, in the nominations of the DPR/PRDR, as well as in the KPU/Bawaslu at the provincial and district/city levels,” Pramono said. (ant)