Fajar Pebrianto, Jakarta – Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI) launched criticism against the Criminal Code Bill (RKUHP), which has now been passed by House legislators into the Criminal Code Act (UU KUHP), as they believe legislators failed to consider public health perspective in formulating the latest law.
One of the provisions, CISDI lamented, is the criminal offense on people that showcase pregnancy prevention tools or contraceptions to minors. They believe that this provision can criminalize aspects of society that volunteer for public sexual health education and reproduction.
"The direct effect may potentially deter people from conducting disseminating public sexual health and reproduction in their respective communities," said CISDI chief of research and policy Olivia Herlinda on December 6. "What's worse is that the manpower in community health centers and educators are currently extremely limited."
House of Representatives (DPR) officially ratified the Criminal Code Act in the 11th plenary session on Tuesday, December 6, which was led by DPR deputy speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.
One of the regulations criticized by CISDI is Article 408 which prohibits anyone from showing or offering birth control devices to children. Then Article 410 states that only authorized officers in the context of implementing family planning programs can do so without facing criminal punishment.
CISDI regrets that the ratification of the RKUHP was carried out through a very rushed mechanism and procedure and with minimal involvement from members of the public.
"Especially in the fields of health, gender, and human rights," Herlinda said.
CISDI also criticized the DPR and the Ministry of Law and Human Rights for rushing to pass the RKUHP with problematic articles that have the potential to harm democratic values.
As for now, CISDI encourages all elements of society to oversee the post-approval Criminal Code process. "The implementation will be carried out in the next 3 years," said Olivia.