Cheta Nilawaty P., Jakarta – The Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Anis Hidayah, said that the Indonesian National Police (Polri) received the most public complaints related to torture cases. In 2024 alone, 15 such reports were filed against police officers.
"From 2020 to 2024, we'recorded a total of 176 reports," Anis stated during a press conference commemorating Anti-Torture Day at the office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) came second with 15 reported torture cases, followed by correctional and detention centers with 10 cases.
Over the past five years, Komnas HAM recorded 72 cases involving deaths or abuse committed by authorities. Additionally, 61 cases of violence against detainees or convicts and 58 cases of torture during interrogation were documented.
In 2024, Komnas HAM received 17 new torture-related complaints, bringing the total since 2020 to 282 reports.
"Victims include individuals, detainees, and members of the general public," said Anis.
She added that incidents of torture were also reported against domestic refugees, religious minorities, foreign refugees, victims of land and natural resource conflicts, femicide survivors, victims of human trafficking, and leprosy patients.
These incidents occurred across various regions of Indonesia. The areas with the most reports were North Sumatra with 47, Jakarta with 25, South Sumatra with 21, West Sumatra with 19, and Central Java with 18.
"The highest number of complaints received by Komnas HAM involved alleged violations of the right to security, totaling 152," Anis said. "This was followed by 74 complaints about the right to justice, and 52 regarding the right to life."
The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed annually on June 26. On this occasion, six state institutions under the Cooperation for the Prevention of Torture (KuPP) – Komnas HAM, Komnas Perempuan, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia, and the National Commission on Disability (KND) – renewed their commitment to prevent and eradicate torture across the country.
These institutions stressed that justice cannot be built on suffering. Torture, they said, not only violates human rights but also erodes public trust in legal, security, and justice institutions.
In response, KuPP called on the state to ensure that law enforcement and correctional institutions are completely free from torture, violence, and inhumane treatment.
According to the Chairperson of the Ombudsman RI, Mokhamad Najih, prevention efforts must be comprehensive and sustained, which includes transparency and independent monitoring.
"There must be access for oversight bodies to enter detention facilities or similar locations, and strong legal action must be taken against those responsible for torture," Najih said.
He also emphasized the state's duty to provide victims with psychological support and legal aid, improve human rights education for law enforcement, and encourage public participation in monitoring and reporting violations.