HRWG Lauds IDI For Stance Against Castration Punishment

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), a non-governmental organization, has lauded the stance taken by Indonesian Physician Association (IDI) to not be involved as the executor of chemical castration for convicted child sex offenders.

In a press release made available to Antara on Monday, HRWG Executive Director Muhammad Hafiz remarked that the stand taken by the IDI indicated that the Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No.1/2016 (Perppu No.1/2016) was made without maturely considering all its aspects.

On May 25, 2016, President Joko Widodo signed the Perppu on protection of children. Under the Perppu, perpetrators of sexual abuse on children are liable for punishment in the form of castration.

According to Hafiz, the Perppu reflects lack of planning and studies undertaken by the government or related party to combat sexual crimes.

"The refusal of castration is not unreasonable. Although sexual crimes against children must be eradicated and the offenders should be punished severely, it must heed to the principles of human rights that have been agreed," Hafiz emphasized.

According to the HRWG executive director, such form of punishment is also considered a violation of human rights as it is cruel, degrading, and inhuman.

Earlier, the IDI had rejected the imposition of chemical castration, stating it would refuse to be the executor of the punishment as it ran counter to the medical code of ethics.

According to IDI Chairman Ilham Oetama Marsis, chemical castration that has to be performed by the physicians is against their oath and ethical code. (WDY)