UPNVJ Public Relations - Dr. Beniharmoni Harefa, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Law at the Veteran National Development University Jakarta (UPNVJ), served as a resource person in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) held by the Policy Strategy Center of the Indonesian Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Kemenimipas). The event took place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in the 17th-floor Meeting Room of the Kemenimipas Building, Kuningan, South Jakarta.
The FGD, led by Jamaruli Manihuruk, Head of the Center for Policy Strategy at the Ministry of Justice and Human Development and Culture, and facilitated by the center's team, was attended by representatives from the Directorate General of Corrections, Community Guidance Officers (PK) at the Bapas (Civil Service), public prosecutors, social workers, social welfare workers, and officials from regional agencies responsible for the fulfillment and protection of children's rights. The discussion focused on Government Regulation Number 58 of 2022 concerning the Forms and Procedures for the Implementation of Criminal Sentences and Actions Against Children.
Beniharmoni highlighted the need for an integrated criminal justice system involving the police, prosecutors, judges, advocates, and community counselors. He emphasized that the implementing regulations for PP 58/2022 should be drafted by the ministry responsible for corrections to ensure legal clarity and proper implementation. "This system provides a strong foundation for well-coordinated handling of children in conflict with the law," he said.
Another issue discussed was the terminology for children who have received a final legal decision but have not been sentenced to prison. According to Beniharmoni, the term "children in conflict with the law" remains relevant because these children have committed an unlawful act (delinquency). Even if they are not imprisoned, children must still be held accountable for their actions according to the court's decision.
The discussion was dynamic, yielding valuable input for drafting a pre-policy draft for the implementing regulations of PP 58/2022. This activity is expected to strengthen policies for the protection and handling of children in Indonesia's criminal justice system.