TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has approved a plan to grant amnesty to a select group of prisoners, including those convicted under the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law. This decision was made during a limited meeting held at the Presidential Palace on Friday, December 13, 2024, attended by Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas, Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Attorney General ST Burhanuddin.

“Several cases are related to insults or ITE cases concerning the head of state. The President has requested amnesty for these individuals. It is expected to be around 18,” Supratman said.

In addition to ITE Law offenders, amnesty will also be granted to 18 individuals convicted of offenses related to Papua. However, Supratman emphasized that this amnesty will not extend to individuals involved in separatist movements.

He added that amnesty will also be granted for prisoners with long-term illnesses, HIV/AIDS, and those with mental disorders. Furthermore, the government is considering granting amnesty to prisoners convicted of drug use.

The exact number of prisoners who will be granted amnesty is currently under assessment by the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections. “We will announce the exact number after conducting an assessment with the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections,” Minister Supratman said. 

President Prabowo has given his approval for this amnesty program. The government will thus seek approval from the House of Representatives (DPR) for its implementation.

Overcrowding in Indonesian correctional institutions poses a humanitarian crisis. “We face a humanitarian crisis within our prisons. Despite the name, these institutions often fail to provide adequate rehabilitation and guidance for inmates,” said former National Human Rights Commission Commissioner, Amiruddin, during a public discussion held on Monday, September 20, 2021.

He assessed that prison overcrowding remains a persistent issue, despite continuous efforts to expand prison capacity. This is primarily due to the high influx of new inmates and a relatively low rate of prisoner release.

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