Indonesia’s Supreme Court Launches Guidebook on Restitution for Human Trafficking Victims
On 13 April 2026, Indonesia’s Supreme Court officially launched the Guidebook on Restitution in Trafficking in Persons Cases, marking an important step towards strengthening a victim-centered justice system for survivors of human trafficking.
Human trafficking remains one of the most serious human rights violations in Indonesia, disproportionately affecting women and children and leaving long-term physical, psychological, social and economic impacts. While Indonesia has established legal frameworks, including Law No. 21 of 2007 on the Eradication of the Crime of Trafficking in Persons and Supreme Court Regulation No. 1 of 2022 on restitution procedures, implementation challenges continue.
“The judiciary is not only required to uphold the law but also to ensure that the victims’ rights are fulfilled, including the right to restitution as a form of justice that restores victims’ dignity of victims. This guidebook reflects collaboration in strengthening victim protection and is expected to serve not merely as a normative document, but as a practical instrument to advance the protection and fulfilment of victims’ rights more effectively” said Chief of Justice, Hon. Judge Sunarto in his keynote speech.
The guidebook was developed by the Supreme Court’s Working Group on Women and Children in collaboration with the ASEAN–Australia Counter Trafficking (ASEAN ACT) program, with technical advisory support from AIPJ3. It is designed to help judges, prosecutors, lawyers, and law enforcement officers apply restitution mechanisms more consistently in human trafficking cases. It also provides guidance on access to victim assistance funds for survivors of trafficking involving sexual exploitation under Law No. 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes.
Australian Ambassador to ASEAN Tiffany McDonald highlighted that Australia is proud to support the initiative, reaffirming a shared commitment to ensuring justice for trafficking victims is measured not only by the conviction of traffickers, but also by the fulfilment of victims’ rights and dignity.
Read also: AIPJ3 Special Edition – Celebrating 15 Years of Justice Partnership (June 2026)