Contradictions in Indonesia's Legal Approach To Abortion: A Study of Reproductive Health Law and The Criminal Code

Authors

  • I Made Suryana Universitas Udayana Bali
  • Putu Ayu Sani Utami Universitas Udayana Bali

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59188/eduvest.v4i5.1341

Keywords:

Abortion Laws, Indonesia, Reproductive Health Law, Criminal Code, Women's Health and Rights

Abstract

This research examines the legal approach to abortion in Indonesia, focusing on the significant conflict between the Indonesian Criminal Code's provisions on abortion and the stance of the Reproductive Health Law. The study aims to understand the implications of this legal contradiction on women's reproductive health and rights, and propose potential solutions to harmonize the legal framework. It employs a comparative legal analysis method, investigating the origins, interpretations, and effects of the respective laws, with data collected from legal documents, scholarly articles, and databases. The findings reveal that the existing legal contradiction potentially contributes to unsafe abortion practices, leading to adverse health consequences and undermining women's rights. The study proposes amendments to align the Criminal Code with the Reproductive Health Law, policy reforms, and cultural initiatives based on international best practices and scholarly recommendations. The research emphasizes the need for comprehensive reproductive health services that respect women's rights and protect their health, thereby advocating for a safer and more inclusive environment in Indonesia.

References

Azriadi, A., & Adriaman, M. (2021). COMPARATIVE STUDY OF RESPONSIBILITY OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE IN HOUSEHOLD IN CONCEPT POSITIVE LAW AND MINANGKABAU TRADITIONAL LAW. JCH (Jurnal Cendekia Hukum), 7(1), 14-31.. https://doi.org/10.3376/jch.v7i1.319

Åhman, Elisabeth., Shah, I. H., World Health Organization., & Special Programme of Research, D. (2011). Unsafe abortion : global and regional estimates of the incidence of unsafe abortion and associated mortality in 2008. World Health Organization.

Ambast, S., Atay, H., & Lavelanet, A. (2023). A global review of penalties for abortion-related offences in 182 countries. In BMJ Global Health (Vol. 8, Issue 3). BMJ Publishing Group. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010405

Anggara, B. (2021). HARMONISASI PENGATURAN ABORSI DI INDONESIA. https://doi.org/10.36733/jhshs.v2i2

Asriani, D. D. (2020). The voices of unmarried pregnant girls and the girlhood discourse in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Asian Journal of Women’s Studies, 26(4), 528–542. https://doi.org/10.1080/12259276.2020.1859173

Bearak, J., Popinchalk, A., Ganatra, B., Moller, A. B., Tunçalp, Ö., Beavin, C., Kwok, L., & Alkema, L. (2020). Unintended pregnancy and abortion by income, region, and the legal status of abortion: estimates from a comprehensive model for 1990–2019. The Lancet Global Health, 8(9), e1152–e1161. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30315-6

Napitupulu, A. A., & Mulyadi, M. (2013). Pembaharuan Hukum Pidana Terhadap Tindak Pidana Aborsi Di Indonesia. Jurnal Mahupiki, 1(1).

Gerdts, C., Vohra, D., & Ahern, J. (2013a). Measuring Unsafe Abortion-Related Mortality: A Systematic Review of the Existing Methods. PLoS ONE, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0053346

Gerdts, C., Vohra, D., & Ahern, J. (2013b). Measuring Unsafe Abortion-Related Mortality: A Systematic Review of the Existing Methods. PLoS ONE, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0053346

Grimes, D. A., Benson, J., Singh, S., Romero, M., Ganatra, B., Okonofua, F. E., & Shah, I. H. (2006). Unsafe abortion: the preventable pandemic.

The lancet, 368(9550), 1908-1919. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140

Failin, F., Yuserlina, A., & Ibrahim, E. (2022). PROTECTION OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS AS PART OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN INDONESIA THROUGH RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS. JCH (Jurnal Cendekia Hukum), 7(2), 312-328. https://doi.org/10.3376/jch.v7i2.557

Hamid, A., & Fakhyadi, D. (2022). LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF CHILDREN OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE AFTER CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DECISION NUMBER 46/PUU-VIII/2010. JCH (Jurnal Cendekia Hukum), 7(2), 181-192. https://doi.org/10.3376/jch.v7i2.465

Izugbara, C., Wekesah, F. M., Sebany, M., Echoka, E., Amo-Adjei, J., & Muga, W. (2020). Availability, accessibility and utilization of post-abortion care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. In Health Care for Women International (Vol. 41, Issue 7, pp. 732–760). Bellwether Publishing, Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2019.1703991

Kantorová, V. (2020). Unintended pregnancy and abortion: what does it tell us about reproductive health and autonomy? In The Lancet Global Health (Vol. 8, Issue 9, pp. e1106–e1107). Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30342-9

Ketting, E., Brockschmidt, L., & Ivanova, O. (2020). Investigating the ‘C’ in CSE: implementation and effectiveness of comprehensive sexuality education in the WHO European region. Sex Education, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2020.1766435

Kumar, A., Hessini, L., & Mitchell, E. M. H. (2009a). Conceptualising abortion stigma. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 11(6), 625–639. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691050902842741

Kumar, A., Hessini, L., & Mitchell, E. M. H. (2009b). Conceptualising abortion stigma. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 11(6), 625–639. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691050902842741

Moseson, H., Herold, S., Filippa, S., Barr-Walker, J., Baum, S. E., & Gerdts, C. (2020). Self-managed abortion: A systematic scoping review. In Best Practice and Research: Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Vol. 63, pp. 87–110). Bailliere Tindall Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.08.002

O’Connell, K. A., Kebede, A. T., Menna, B. M., Woldetensay, M. T., Fischer, S. E., Samandari, G., & Kassaw, J. K. (2022). Signs of a turning tide in social norms and attitudes toward abortion in Ethiopia: Findings from a qualitative study in four regions. Reproductive Health, 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01240-6

Oluseye, A., Waterhouse, P., & Hoggart, L. (2022). ‘I really wanted to abort’Desire for abortion, failed abortion and forced motherhood in South-Western Nigeria. Global Public Health, 17(8), 1564-1577..

Prata, N., Bell, S., Fraser, A., Carvalho, A., Neves, I., & Nieto-Andrade, B. (2017). African Journal of Reproductive Health. In African Journal of Reproductive Health (Vol. 21, Issue 2).

Prata, N., Sreenivas, A., Vahidnia, F., & Potts, M. (2009a). Saving maternal lives in resource-poor settings: Facing reality. In Health Policy (Vol. 89, Issue 2, pp. 131–148). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2008.05.007

Azriadi, A., & Adriaman, M. (2021). COMPARATIVE STUDY OF RESPONSIBILITY OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE IN HOUSEHOLD IN CONCEPT POSITIVE LAW AND MINANGKABAU TRADITIONAL LAW. JCH (Jurnal Cendekia Hukum), 7(1), 14-31.. https://doi.org/10.3376/jch.v7i1.319

Åhman, Elisabeth., Shah, I. H., World Health Organization., & Special Programme of Research, D. (2011). Unsafe abortion : global and regional estimates of the incidence of unsafe abortion and associated mortality in 2008. World Health Organization.

Ambast, S., Atay, H., & Lavelanet, A. (2023). A global review of penalties for abortion-related offences in 182 countries. In BMJ Global Health (Vol. 8, Issue 3). BMJ Publishing Group. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010405

Anggara, B. (2021). HARMONISASI PENGATURAN ABORSI DI INDONESIA. https://doi.org/10.36733/jhshs.v2i2

Asriani, D. D. (2020). The voices of unmarried pregnant girls and the girlhood discourse in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Asian Journal of Women’s Studies, 26(4), 528–542. https://doi.org/10.1080/12259276.2020.1859173

Bearak, J., Popinchalk, A., Ganatra, B., Moller, A. B., Tunçalp, Ö., Beavin, C., Kwok, L., & Alkema, L. (2020). Unintended pregnancy and abortion by income, region, and the legal status of abortion: estimates from a comprehensive model for 1990–2019. The Lancet Global Health, 8(9), e1152–e1161. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30315-6

Napitupulu, A. A., & Mulyadi, M. (2013). Pembaharuan Hukum Pidana Terhadap Tindak Pidana Aborsi Di Indonesia. Jurnal Mahupiki, 1(1).

Gerdts, C., Vohra, D., & Ahern, J. (2013a). Measuring Unsafe Abortion-Related Mortality: A Systematic Review of the Existing Methods. PLoS ONE, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0053346

Gerdts, C., Vohra, D., & Ahern, J. (2013b). Measuring Unsafe Abortion-Related Mortality: A Systematic Review of the Existing Methods. PLoS ONE, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0053346

Grimes, D. A., Benson, J., Singh, S., Romero, M., Ganatra, B., Okonofua, F. E., & Shah, I. H. (2006). Unsafe abortion: the preventable pandemic. The lancet, 368(9550), 1908-1919. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140

Failin, F., Yuserlina, A., & Ibrahim, E. (2022). PROTECTION OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS AS PART OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN INDONESIA THROUGH RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS. JCH (Jurnal Cendekia Hukum), 7(2), 312-328. https://doi.org/10.3376/jch.v7i2.557

Hamid, A., & Fakhyadi, D. (2022). LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF CHILDREN OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE AFTER CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DECISION NUMBER 46/PUU-VIII/2010. JCH (Jurnal Cendekia Hukum), 7(2), 181-192. https://doi.org/10.3376/jch.v7i2.465

Izugbara, C., Wekesah, F. M., Sebany, M., Echoka, E., Amo-Adjei, J., & Muga, W. (2020). Availability, accessibility and utilization of post-abortion care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. In Health Care for Women International (Vol. 41, Issue 7, pp. 732–760). Bellwether Publishing, Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2019.1703991

Kantorová, V. (2020). Unintended pregnancy and abortion: what does it tell us about reproductive health and autonomy? In The Lancet Global Health (Vol. 8, Issue 9, pp. e1106–e1107). Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30342-9

Ketting, E., Brockschmidt, L., & Ivanova, O. (2020). Investigating the ‘C’ in CSE: implementation and effectiveness of comprehensive sexuality education in the WHO European region. Sex Education, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2020.1766435

Kumar, A., Hessini, L., & Mitchell, E. M. H. (2009a). Conceptualising abortion stigma. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 11(6), 625–639. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691050902842741

Kumar, A., Hessini, L., & Mitchell, E. M. H. (2009b). Conceptualising abortion stigma. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 11(6), 625–639. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691050902842741

Moseson, H., Herold, S., Filippa, S., Barr-Walker, J., Baum, S. E., & Gerdts, C. (2020). Self-managed abortion: A systematic scoping review. In Best Practice and Research: Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Vol. 63, pp. 87–110). Bailliere Tindall Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.08.002

O’Connell, K. A., Kebede, A. T., Menna, B. M., Woldetensay, M. T., Fischer, S. E., Samandari, G., & Kassaw, J. K. (2022). Signs of a turning tide in social norms and attitudes toward abortion in Ethiopia: Findings from a qualitative study in four regions. Reproductive Health, 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01240-6

Oluseye, A., Waterhouse, P., & Hoggart, L. (2022). ‘I really wanted to abort’Desire for abortion, failed abortion and forced motherhood in South-Western Nigeria. Global Public Health, 17(8), 1564-1577..

Prata, N., Bell, S., Fraser, A., Carvalho, A., Neves, I., & Nieto-Andrade, B. (2017). African Journal of Reproductive Health. In African Journal of Reproductive Health (Vol. 21, Issue 2).

Prata, N., Sreenivas, A., Vahidnia, F., & Potts, M. (2009a). Saving maternal lives in resource-poor settings: Facing reality. In Health Policy (Vol. 89, Issue 2, pp. 131–148). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2008.05.007

Prata, N., Sreenivas, A., Vahidnia, F., & Potts, M. (2009b). Saving maternal lives in resource-poor settings: Facing reality. In Health Policy (Vol. 89, Issue 2, pp. 131–148). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2008.05.007

Remez, L., Mayall, K., & Singh, S. (2020). Global developments in laws on induced abortion: 2008–2019. International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 46, 53–65. https://doi.org/10.1363/46e0920

Saputra, K. T., Liyus, H., & Wahyudhi, D. (n.d.). Pengaturan Tindak Pidana Aborsi, Studi Perbandingan Hukum Pidana Indonesia dan Jepang. PAMPAS: Journal Of Criminal, 4, 2023.

Saragi, P. (2021). An Analysis of Legal Concepts Concerning Abortion Case According to Criminal Code and Law No.36 of 2009 Concerning Health. Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government, 27(3). https://doi.org/10.47750/cibg.2021.27.03.350

Sedgh, G., Bearak, J., Singh, S., Bankole, A., Popinchalk, A., Ganatra, B., Rossier, C., Gerdts, C., Tunçalp, Ö., Johnson, B. R., Johnston, H. B., & Alkema, L. (2016). Abortion incidence between 1990 and 2014: global, regional, and subregional levels and trends. The Lancet, 388(10041), 258–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30380-4

Shahrullah, R. S., Syarief, E., Sudirman, L., & Surya, T. (2020). Analisis Yuridis Pengaturan Abortus Provokatus Terhadap Korban Pemerkosaan Di Indonesia. Jurnal Hukum Samudra Keadilan, 15(2), 251-263..

Singh, S., Remez, L., Sedgh, G., Kwok, L., & Onda, T. (n.d.). Uneven Progress and Unequal Access.

Suryani, B., Anggreni, F., & Lubis, A. (2022). APPLICATION OF THE LEX SPECIALIS DEROGAT LEX GENERALIS PRINCIPLE IN ABORTION LAW IN INDONESIA. International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, 27, 1.

Suryani, L., Sultan, U., & Hasanuddin Banten, M. (2021). Faktor-Faktor Pendorong dan Praktik Aborsi di Indonesia. In JSGA: Journal Studi Gender dan Anak (Vol. 8, Issue 2).

Tongat, T., & Anggraeny, I. (2020). Abortion Due to Rape in The Perspective of Criminal Law and Health Law in Indonesia. Journal of Law, Policy and Globalization, 103.

Wahyuni, C. I. D., Laskarwati, B., & Al Qulub, N. M. (2020a). Informed Consent in Health Services: How are the Patients’ Rights Protected? Journal of Law and Legal Reform, 1(4), 591–604. https://doi.org/10.15294/jllr.v1i4.39891

Wahyuni, C. I. D., Laskarwati, B., & Al Qulub, N. M. (2020b). Informed Consent in Health Services: How are the Patients’ Rights Protected? Journal of Law and Legal Reform, 1(4), 591–604. https://doi.org/10.15294/jllr.v1i4.39891

Downloads

Published

2024-06-27