Indonesia committed to end violence against children

Jakarta. Vice President Jusuf Kalla received the Special Representative of the United Nation Secretary General on Violence against Children Ms. Marta Santos Pais at his office on Jalan Merdeka Utara, Jakarta on Thursday (Feb 18).

At the meeting, Ms Pais appreciated the Indonesian government for its commitment in handling the issue of violence against children, proven with some laws and regulations issued concerning this. This issue, she added, has even been made as priority agenda in the national mid-term development plan (RPJMN) 2015-2019.

With its potentials, Ms Pais said, Indonesia is believed able to be a role model for other countries in coping with the matter.

“I strongly hope that Indonesia be a reference for other countries in introducing the subject of child protection in their national development agenda,” she said.

She further told the Vice President that she worked together with Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Yohana Susana Yembise to implement startegic plans in ending violence against children.

Child protection, she said, has been a central issue for Indonesia as it has the big number of young population.

“Indonesia could invest on these youth,” she said.

In response, the Vice President welcome the UN’s support for child protection in the country.

Indonesia, he said, is really concern with this issue, proven with the issuance of Law No. 23 of 2002 regarding Child Protection which was amended with Law No. 35 of 2014.

Besides, he added, the central government has instructed all governors to provide more green areas for children to play and do other outdoor activities.

“This is our commitment in child protection,” he affirmed.

Regarding law enforcement for those committing violence against children, Mr Kalla stated that government takes a firm stand on this.

“On the murder case of an eight-year-old girl named Engeline in Bali, for instance, we have sentenced the perpetrator to lifetime imprisonment,” he said.