Indonesia Passes Law to Strengthen Protection for Witnesses and Victims

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has ratified the Witness and Victim Protection Bill into law, marking a significant step in strengthening safeguards for those at risk in criminal proceedings.

Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas announced the government’s approval during a plenary session on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, following the completion of first-level deliberations with the DPR.

“Indonesia is a law-based country, as affirmed in Article 1, Paragraph 3 of the 1945 Constitution. All aspects of national life must be based on laws that provide protection for witnesses and victims,” he said.

Minister Supratman stressed that protecting witnesses and victims is an essential part of human rights. “This protection is necessary to ensure security and access to justice in every criminal justice process, and the state is obliged to provide it,” he added.

He noted that previous regulations were not fully responsive to evolving legal needs. “The restorative and rehabilitative justice approach was not supported by regulations, so testimony is often given under pressure. Therefore, this law needs to strengthen the role of the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), complementing criminal procedural law by placing witnesses and victims on equal footing with perpetrators,” he explained, as quoted by the LPSK’s official website.

Deputy Speaker of Commission XIII, Andreas Hugo Pareira, emphasized that the bill reinforces the LPSK's independence. “The LPSK’s position as an independent state institution is free from the influence of any power,” he said.

He added that the law provides for regional LPSK offices to extend protection across the country and allows the creation of special task forces to safeguard witnesses, victims, whistleblowers, informants, and experts.

According to Andreas, the government and the working committee intensively discussed strengthening the LPSK structure, involving academics to determine the most appropriate institutional framework. “This bill creates space for the LPSK to form a special task force to protect witnesses, victims, reporters, informants, and experts,” he said.

LPSK Chair Achmadi welcomed the ratification, calling it a milestone in Indonesia’s legal framework. “This law’s ratification is a step forward in ensuring the state’s comprehensive protection of witnesses and victims. Strengthening the LPSK’s authority and institutional framework will greatly help provide more effective protection,” he said.

Achmadi emphasized that the LPSK is prepared to implement the law optimally by strengthening its services and establishing regional offices. ***