Jakarta (Indonesia), 18 April 2024 – Government officials, academics, and representatives from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) convened last month for a public discussion in the realm of justice reform. The gathering, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of Indonesia, aimed to shed light on the country’s efforts in reforming its criminal justice system.
“Recognizing that there are gaps between the paradigm owned by law enforcement, that focuses more on procedural and retributive justice, and the paradigm in society, that emphasizes substantial and restorative justice, I believe that UNODC’s efforts thus far have helped reduce that gap,” said Asep Nana Mulyana, Director-General of Legislation at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of Indonesia. He also addressed the core principles of restorative justice — a model emphasizing empowerment, accountability, and restoration for victims and perpetrators alike.
Titled ‘Understanding the Meaning and Implementation of Restorative Justice Programmes’, the discussion aimed to review the application of the principles of restorative justice in various aspects of the Indonesian criminal justice system. It also reintroduced the public to basic concepts and principles were closely related to the implementation of restorative justice programmes as a non-punitive approach in the criminal justice system.
“Restorative justice does not let the offenders off the hook at the expense of the victims. It demands accountability and the harm they have committed. It has to ensure the victims feel safe and the community accepts the restoration. Likewise, restorative justice programmes require transparency, which hence increases the obligation of authorities to ensure that programmes are not misused for corruption nor discrimination,” said Kenneth Zurcher, Director of the Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) at the US Embassy in Jakarta.
Discussions focused on Indonesia’s strides in implementing restorative justice programmes, citing legal bases such as Prosecutor’s Regulation Number 15 of 2020 and Police Regulation Number 8 of 2021. Challenges in refining legal frameworks and fostering inter-agency cooperation were acknowledged.
The event coincided with the launch of the Indonesian Version of the Second Edition of the Restorative Justice Programme Handbook. This handbook, inspired by global best practices, serves as a vital resource for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers involved in restorative justice initiatives. The handbook's launch, a collaboration between UNODC and the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, marks a milestone in providing practitioners, researchers, and policymakers with a vital resource to advance restorative justice principles in the country.
“In a world where global trends in criminal justice are shifting towards a more rehabilitative and community-centred approach, this handbook emerges as a timely resource. Its alignment with recent global developments, including the promotion of non-custodial measures advocated in UN forums such as the CCPCJ, underscores its significance in guiding Indonesia's progress,” said Masood Karimipour, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
In closing, the event underscored the collaborative efforts between Indonesia and UNODC in advancing restorative justice principles, signaling a significant step forward in the nation’s justice reform agenda.
Learn more about the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) here.
Learn more about the work of UNODC in Indonesia here.
