Medical Personnel Performing Abortion Practices from the Perspective of Health Law and Human Rights
Abstract
Background: This study investigates the criminal liability of medical professionals involved in abortion practices that violate existing legal provisions, from the perspective of health law. Given the rapid advancement of medical technology, this research explores the legal ramifications of abortion services carried out by healthcare providers beyond the boundaries of statutory regulations. It also seeks to address the gap in scholarly discourse regarding this issue.
Methods: The study adopts a qualitative approach, relying on secondary data analysis derived from statutory laws, court decisions, peer-reviewed articles, research reports, and official government documents. The legal analysis centers on three main regulatory frameworks: the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP), specifically Articles 299, 346, 347, 348, 463, 464, and 465; Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the National Criminal Code; and Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health, particularly Articles 60, 61, 427, 428, and 429. In addition, Government Regulation No. 61 of 2014 on Reproductive Health specifically Article 35(1) is examined to provide a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework governing abortion practices.
Results: The findings demonstrate that abortion procedures performed by medical personnel without legal authorization constitute criminal acts and violate professional ethical standards. Moreover, the state has both a legal and moral duty to protect women’s rights by preventing unsafe, unregulated, and unethical abortion practices that conflict with religious values and statutory law.
Conclusion: The research affirms that abortion practices lacking a valid legal basis are classified as illegal under Indonesian law. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the legal challenges surrounding abortion services provided by healthcare professionals and offers critical insights for shaping regulatory policies. Further research is recommended to explore legal responses to unlawful abortion practices, thereby supporting the development of international health law and policy frameworks.
How to Cite
Views / Downloads
References
AdminICJR. (2023). Legal Framework on Safe Abortion in Indonesia. Institute for Criminal Justice Reform. Retrieved from https://icjr.or.id/kerangka-hukum-tentang-aborsi-aman-di-indonesia-2023/
Ainia, Y. S., & Mangesti, Y. A. (2024). Legal Liability of Abortion Perpetrators Due to Poor Prenatal Screening from a Human Rights Perspective. Hukum Dinamika Ekselensia, 06(4), 413–424.
Darmawan, R. (2020). Law Enforcement Against Medical Malpractice by Doctors Performing Abortion (Case Study of Decision No. 288/Pid.Sus/2018/PN NJK). El-Iqthisadi : Jurnal Hukum Ekonomi Syariah Fakultas Syariah Dan Hukum, 2(2), 15. https://doi.org/10.24252/el-iqthisadi.v2i2.13999
Dewantara, K. B. W., & Parwata, I. G. N. (2021). The Crime of Abortion by Unmarried Pregnant Adolescents in the Perspective of the Criminal Code and Health Law. Jurnal Kertha Wicara Vol., 10(3). Retrieved from https://ojs.unud.ac.id/index.php/kerthawicara/article/view/64424/38195
Hamzah Ismi Fadjriah. (2023). Legal Status of Medical Personnel/Healthcare Workers Providing Abortion Services Based on Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health. Journal Of Social Science Research, Volume 3(3), 12382–12393. Retrieved from https://j-innovative.org/index.php/Innovative/article/view/9890
Ikra, P. A., Sunariyo, & Elviandri. (2024). Application of the Non-Retroactive Principle to the Liability of Medical Personnel Performing Abortion (Case Study of Decision Number 36/Pid.Sus/2024/PN DPS). Jurnal Rectum, 497–508.
Indrawati, T. D., Arafah, A. H. N., Azharudin, F., & Aji, T. S. (2024). Law Enforcement and Medical Personnel Accountability for Illegal Abortion Malpractice. Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Sosial, Dan Humaniora, 2(8), 295–302.
Jayantara, I. M. D., Hidayattulah, & Arief, H. (2024). Analysis Of Criminal Responsibility And Settlement Of Medical Personnel Committing Medical Malpractices Reviewed From The Perspective Of Law Number 17 Of 2023 Concerning Health. Rewang Rencang : Jurnal Hukum Lex Generalis, 5(7), 1–20.
Kansil, C. S. T., & Madelin, N. A. (2024). Juridical Review of Abortion Actions from the Perspective of Health Law in Indonesia. As-Syar’i: Jurnal Bimbingan & Konseling Keluarga, 6, 1448–1460. https://doi.org/10.47476/assyari.v6i3.7377
Laura, P. M., & Husin, U. (2021). Legal Analysis of Abortion Crimes under Article 75 Paragraph (2) of Law Number 36 of 2009 on Health. Jurnal Ilmu Dan Budaya, 42(2), 275. https://doi.org/10.47313/jib.v42i2.1443
Maridjan, G. N. (2019). Abortion in the Application of Criminal Law in Indonesia. Lex Crimen, 8(6), 114–121.
Nugraheni, A. P., & Prasetyo, E. (2023). Ethical and Legal Challenges for Medical Personnel Involved in Abortion Practices in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Medical Law, 5(1), 58–75.
Permana, O. R. (2022). Legal Protection for Rape Victims and Healthcare Workers Performing Abortion on Pregnancies Over 6 Weeks in Relation to Article 76 of Law Number 36 of 2009 on Health. Tunas Medika Jurnal Kedokteran & Kesehatan, 8(1). Retrieved from http://jurnal.ugj.ac.id/index.php/tumed/article/view/7542
Putra, E. R. K. (2023). Abortion Without Medical Indication in the Perspective of Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health, the Criminal Code, and Law No. 1 of 2023. Jurnal Cahaya Mandalika, (17), 1129–1143.
Santoso, A., & Wulandari, D. (2023). Criminal Liability of Health Workers in Abortion Practices: A Legal and Human Rights Perspective in Indonesia. Jurnal Hukum Dan Kesehatan, 10(2), 135–150.
Santoso, R., & Wulandari, P. (2021). Improving Access and Legal Protection for Reproductive Health Services in Indonesia. Ournal of Indonesian Public Health Policy, 6(2), 100–115.
Sari, N. M., Rahmawati, D., & Hidayat, S. (2022). Legal Flexibility in Indonesia’s Abortion Regulation: Balancing Rights and Moral Values. Jurnal Hukum Dan Kesehatan, 10(1), 27–44.
Setiawan, I., & Nugroho, A. (2021). Challenges in Law Enforcement of Illegal Abortion Clinics in Indonesia. Jurnal Hukum & Kesehatan, 9(2), 145–158.
Wijayanti, L. M., Wulandari, D., & Pramudito, A. (2020). Harmonizing Indonesia’s Abortion Laws with International Human Rights Standards: A Critical Review. Asian Journal of Law and Society, 7(3), 321–339.
Zahra, S. A., Humulhaer, S., & Budidarmo, W. (2024). Prevention of Abortion Crimes and Legal Efforts Based on the Criminal Code from the Perspective of Law Number 36 of 2009 on Health. 3(November), 1–9.
