First, proportionality, namely the use of force that is balanced, reasonable, and not excessive. Second, legality, which means (the police's) actions must be legal, in accordance with applicable national laws and international human rights standardsJakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD has asked National Police (Polri) personnel to use a humanistic approach while carrying out their duties and enforcing their authority to prevent human rights violations.
A humanistic approach must be adopted because aside from maintaining order and enforcing the law, police are tasked with protecting and serving the community, he said while giving a virtual speech at the International Conference on Human Rights Principles here on Thursday.
For that reason, there are four human rights principles that all Polri personnel must comply with while discharging their duties as law enforcement officers, he added.
“First, proportionality, namely the use of force that is balanced, reasonable, and not excessive. Second, legality, which means (the police's) actions must be legal, in accordance with applicable national laws and international human rights standards," he said.
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Not only that, the police must apply accountability and take into account necessity when taking action against parties suspected of violating the law, he added.
"Accountability means there is a procedure and review of the use of force that can be accounted for, and necessity means the action taken is really needed," he explained.
He appealed to all Polri personnel to use the four principles as guidelines, as stipulated in the Regulation of the National Police Chief Number 8 of 2009 concerning the Implementation of Human Rights Principles and Standards in Performing the Duties of the Indonesian National Police.
Polri personnel have the authority as armed law enforcement officers to limit the rights of certain people, the minister said.
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However, if the authority is not used with a humanistic approach and in accordance with procedures, it has the potential to cause human rights violations, he added.
Therefore, police officers must always follow the four principles of proportionality, legality, accountability, and necessity in carrying out their duties, he stressed.
The four principles would be helpful when police officers are faced with a dilemma, he added.
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Translator: Genta Tenri, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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