Indonesian police given exclusive authority to perform abortions on rape victims

By Kate Lamb

JAKARTA (Reuters) – New rules issued by Indonesia this week will make police the only authority authorized to grant abortions to rape victims, a move that has drawn criticism from rights activists who call regressive.

Abortion is illegal in Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, except in medical emergencies or rape. The new law says that to be recognized as a rape victim, a woman must obtain a document that can only be issued by the police.

Previously, women could obtain this document from a doctor or psychologist.

A national police spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for clarification on the regulations, which are part of a broader health law that comes into effect immediately, or for details on police procedures for dealing with rape victims.

According to Maidina Rahmawati of the Indonesian Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR), the police have not yet issued any internal regulations on specific assistance for rape victims, including the provision of emergency contraception or safe abortions, as well as special training for officers.

Women’s rights activists say that in a country where abortion is widely considered taboo, changing the law could stop rape victims from seeking help from authorities.

“Overall, women still feel fear because of culture, norms and also religion,” said Olin Monteiro of Jakarta Feminist, one of several rights groups calling for changes to the law.

“These values ​​make it difficult for women to find access when they have the right to terminate their pregnancy,” she said. “This regulation means that victims have only one choice. They have to report to the police. It is very limiting.”

Women’s rights activist Tunggal Pawestri also said the laws would do nothing to help victims.

“Instead of actually supporting rape victims, I think it will be a regression,” she added.

(Additional reporting by Stanley Widianto; editing by Miral Fahmy)