Tighter Remission over Serious Crime

VIVAnews - Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalatta said remission for first degree crime convicts was allowed to be granted. “But it will be restricted,” Mattalatta said at his office in Jakarta on Friday, August 21.

First degree crimes include terrorism, drug abuse, corruption and serious human rights violations.

The Minister also said the requirement was that the convicts must serve one-third of their period of imprisonment. The regulation is based on the Governmental Decree No. 28/ 2006 on the Requirements and System of Convicts' Rights.

Regarding remission grant for the terrorists, Mattalatta said, “[It will still be given] because there have been a lot of them who have been granted remission. If we revoke the remission, it might be considered human rights violation,” he said.

Mattalatta continued by saying that the remission was granted because the government had social awareness. “If the government doesn't have it, we won't be changing the remission regulations. With the previous regulations, it's really easy. The convicts would certainly be granted remission within six months,” he said.

When asked whether or not the government is watching over former terrorist criminals, Mattalatta said there was not such supervision. However, he said the government had established a special counseling for them. “We consult it with Densus 88 [Anti-terrorism special unit],” he said. The Minister also explained there was not any special budget provided for the counseling.