Correctional Directorate General at the Law and Human Rights Ministry along with the Reclassering Nederland discussed the importance of implementing restorative justice.

“The Netherlands is a country that has successfully managed to consistently implement the restorative justice approach,” Correctional Directorate General Secretary at the Ministry Heni Yuwono noted here Wednesday.

Implementing restorative justice to realize a safer society is not just about preventing criminal acts but also improving relations among criminals, victims, families, and the people, he explained.

The Netherlands has a long-standing history in implementing restorative justice through various mechanisms, such as alternative sentencing, he stated during the 2022 Indonesia Netherlands Legal Update (INLU), here.

Other practices included the involvement of people to realize sound coordination with law enforcement authorities that Indonesia should pursue, he noted.

“I believe that Indonesia has a very large potential to adopt it,” he remarked.

This is especially because the legal foundation in Indonesia is similar to that in the Netherlands. Moreover, the concept of restorative justice essentially already exists in the Indonesians’ character, he pointed out.

According to Yuwono, this is reflected in the spirit of familial bond, mutual assistance, local wisdom, and culture that existed.

Yuwono expects that the panel discussion held by the two parties would be able to find important points related to alternative and trial sentencing to implement restorative justice.

Moreover, Indonesia and the Netherlands can find formulation on how criminals do not always have to be sent to a correctional facility but still be able to develop the perpetrators’ accountability and fulfill victims’ rights.

He expects the creation of various development recommendations for the two countries, specifically recommendations on the implementation of restorative justice for the formulation of the draft Criminal Code (RKUHP) currently being discussed at the legislative level.

Source: Antara News