KUTACANE – A group of young people calling themselves the Alliance of Ten Youth Front staged a peaceful protest in front of the Mahkamah Syar’iyah (Sharia Court) in Kutacane, Southeast Aceh Regency, on Wednesday (July 2, 2025). The demonstration was held to protest the prolonged delay in the verdict of a child sexual abuse case involving a minor victim, which they believe undermines justice and fuels negative public speculation.
In his speech, protest coordinator Dahriansyah stated that the Sharia Court in Kutacane should serve as a place where the public places their hope for justice, especially in cases involving crimes against children. However, he pointed out that nearly a year after the case was brought to trial, there has been no legal certainty from the court. The continuous postponement of the verdict has, according to him, eroded public trust in the institution.
“This case has become a topic of public concern. How can a case of sexual violence against a child still be unresolved after almost a year? We fear this delay may not be without motive—there may be something being hidden,” Dahriansyah said firmly.
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He urged the Aceh Provincial Sharia Court to immediately intervene and evaluate the performance and integrity of the head of the Mahkamah Syar’iyah Kutacane. This evaluation, he argued, is essential to maintaining the credibility of the sharia judicial system in the eyes of the public, particularly in Southeast Aceh.
Furthermore, the protesters called on the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia to pay close attention to the legal processes taking place in the Kutacane Sharia Court. They emphasized the need for oversight from the national level to prevent practices that could obstruct fair and transparent law enforcement.
The peaceful protest also carried a strong message about the urgent need to protect victims of child sexual abuse. Dahriansyah highlighted that such cases occur repeatedly every year in Southeast Aceh, yet victims often fail to receive the justice they deserve. He called on local government officials and child protection institutions to take more serious and responsive action.
“Child rape victims not only suffer physically but also carry lifelong psychological trauma. The state has a duty to protect them. We are demanding real, visible support,” he stated.
The Alliance of Ten Youth Front concluded their demonstration by calling for an end to delays in the enforcement of justice, especially against perpetrators of child sexual abuse. They pledged to continue monitoring the case until true justice is served.
Report by: Salihan Beruh
