Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia on Sexual Violence Crime Bill, at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, January 4, 2022

Assalaamu’alaikum warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

My fellow citizens.

Protection for sexual violence victims must become our mutual focus, especially sexual violence against women, which is an urgent issue that needs to be immediately addressed.

I have been closely paying attention to the Sexual Violence Crime Bill since its formulation in 2016. To date, it is still being processed by the House of Representatives (DPR). Therefore, I order Minister of Law and Human Rights as well as Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection to immediately coordinate and consult with the DPR in deliberating the Sexual Violence Crime Bill so we can have measures to accelerate [the ratification].

I have also ordered the Government’s task force that handles Sexual Violence Crime Bill to immediately prepare the list of problem inventory of the bill prepared by the DPR. To that end, the deliberation can proceed faster and be focused on substantial points to provide legal certainty and guarantee the protection for sexual violence victims.

I hope the Sexual Violence Crime Bill can be immediately ratified in order to provide maximum protection for sexual violence victims in Indonesia.

That concludes my statement.

I thank you.

Wassalaamu’alaikum warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh.

(DH/EP)