President Prabowo Subianto will grant amnesty to at least 44,000 prisoners, ranging from drug users to political prisoners in Papua. The news was conveyed by Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas during a press conference at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Friday, December 13, 2024.
“The President will grant amnesty to several prisoners who we are currently assessing together with the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections,” Supratman said.
The statement was made after Supratman attended President Prabowo’s limited meeting with a number of Red and White Cabinet ministers at the Merdeka Palace. The meeting discussed a number of issues, including granting amnesty to certain prisoners on humanitarian grounds, reducing prison overcapacity, and encouraging reconciliation in several regions.
Furthermore, Supratman revealed that there are four criteria for the types of criminal offenses that will receive amnesty. First, the Electronic Information and Transaction (ITE) criminal case regarding insults to the head of state. Second, prisoners with prolonged illness and mental disorders, as well as HIV/AIDS who need special treatment.
“Third, the case of unarmed treason in Papua. Finally, cases of drug users who should be rehabilitated,” he said.
Number of prisoners to be amnestied
Provisional data from the Ministry of Justice notes that there are around 44,000 prisoners who could potentially be proposed for amnesty. However, according to Supratman, the exact number is still being classified and assessed. Furthermore, the government will ask for consideration from the DPR.
“The number is still being updated by the Ministry of Immigration,” Supratman said when confirmed by Tempo via a messaging application, Saturday, December 14, 2024.
The same thing was expressed by the Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto. He said there was no exact number of prisoners who would receive amnesty. He also did not answer explicitly about the proposal for 44 thousand prisoners to receive amnesty. This is because they still have to wait for consultation with the DPR.
“If it is fixed, then we will release it, there must be consideration from the DPR (House of Representatives),” Agus said when confirmed by Tempo via a messaging application last Saturday.
Reasons why amnesty will be granted
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai said President Prabowo will grant amnesty to a number of prisoners because he considers human rights and reconciliation. According to him, the President pays attention to this aspect and it is a humanist political decision based on human rights as stated in point 1 of Asta Cita.
“Regarding this amnesty, one of the considerations is the humanitarian aspect and the spirit of reconciliation,” Pigai said in a press statement on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
Amnesty also for dozens of Papuan political prisoners
Supratman said that dozens of political prisoners or political prisoners from Papua will also receive legal relief. This has been submitted by his party to Prabowo. The dozen Papuan prisoners, said Supratman, were activists. This policy is an effort to reconcile Papuans. However, the abolition of this sentence is only given to unarmed activists.
“Several cases related to Papua, there are approximately 18 people,” said Supratman. “This is an effort of good faith for the government to consider how then Papua can become calmer, this is the government’s intention.”
