Promotion and Protection of All Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Including the Right to Development: Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

The Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment contains a study of the legal and factual aspects regarding the situation of torture and ill-treatment in Indonesia. The report recommends, among others, that torture should be defined and criminalized as a matter of priority and as a concrete demonstration of Indonesia’s commitment to combat the problem, in accordance with the Convention against Torture, with penalties commensurate with the gravity of torture. The Government should ensure that corporal punishment, independently of the physical suffering it causes, is explicitly criminalized in all parts of the country. Officials at the highest level should condemn torture and announce a zero-tolerance policy vis-à-vis any ill-treatment by State officials. The Government should adopt an anti-torture action plan which foresees awareness-raising programmes and training for all stakeholders, including the National Human Rights Commission and civil society representatives, in order to lead them to live up to their human rights obligations and fulfil their specific task in the fight against torture. Moreover, all allegations of torture and ill-treatment should be promptly and thoroughly investigated ex-officio by an independent authority with no connection to the authority investigating or prosecuting the case against the alleged victim.