Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

UNESA experts give advice to government

Several lecturers from Universitas Negeri Surabaya provide expert advice to government bodies at national, regional, and local levels.

Expert for national government

Dr. Elisabeth Septin Puspoayu, S.H., M.H., a legal expert from the Faculty of Law at Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), was invited by the National Commission on Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia (Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia or Komnas HAM RI) to provide expert input during a discussion on assessing corporate compliance with human rights standards in business activities. Her participation reflects the involvement of UNESA’s academic expertise in supporting a public institution responsible for promoting and protecting human rights. Through this engagement, Dr. Puspoayu contributed legal perspectives and academic insights to discussions on strengthening corporate accountability and ensuring that business activities comply with applicable human rights principles.

During the discussion, Dr. Puspoayu presented a set of indicators developed collaboratively with her research team to assess corporate compliance with human rights standards. These indicators are intended to provide a systematic framework for evaluating corporate conduct and identifying the extent to which businesses fulfil their human rights responsibilities. The indicators are expected to inform the development of a Corporate Compliance Assessment Sheet, which is intended to have legally binding implications for corporations. This initiative demonstrates how university expertise can support the development of practical assessment instruments for public institutions, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and contribute to the effective implementation of human rights protections.

This collaboration illustrates UNESA’s contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), particularly its broader commitment to the rule of law, access to justice, and accountable institutions. In relation to Indicator 16.3.1, which measures the proportion of victims of violence who report their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized dispute-resolution mechanisms, the engagement demonstrates UNESA’s support for institutions involved in the protection of rights and the administration of justice. Although the provision of expert input does not directly measure the reporting of victimization required by Indicator 16.3.1, it highlights the practical role of UNESA’s academic experts in assisting public institutions, including Komnas HAM RI, in strengthening human rights accountability and supporting fairer, more transparent, and more effective institutional processes.

Expert for regional government

Tamsil, S.H., M.H., a legal expert from Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), together with his team, was invited to provide expert assistance in the development of a draft Regional Regulation of Tana Tidung Regency, North Kalimantan Province, concerning the Recognition, Protection, and Empowerment of Indigenous Law Communities. This engagement demonstrates the contribution of UNESA’s academic expertise to local government efforts to establish a legal framework that recognizes and protects the rights of Indigenous communities. The initiative also reflects collaboration between higher education institutions and local authorities in addressing legal and social issues through evidence-based policymaking.

As part of this assignment, Tamsil and his team conducted comprehensive philosophical, sociological, and legal assessments to ensure that the proposed regulation was grounded in fundamental legal values, responsive to the social conditions and needs of Indigenous communities, and consistent with applicable laws and regulations. The team also prepared the academic paper (naskah akademik) that served as the scientific and legal foundation for the proposed regional regulation. Their involvement supported the formulation of a regulatory framework designed to strengthen the recognition, protection, and empowerment of Indigenous law communities while providing greater legal certainty regarding their rights and status.

The collaborative process culminated in the enactment of Tana Tidung Regency Regional Regulation Number 5 of 2025 Concerning the Recognition, Protection, and Empowerment of Indigenous Law Communities (MHA). This achievement illustrates how UNESA’s legal expertise can be applied directly to local governance and the development of legal instruments that promote the protection of community rights and access to justice. In relation to SDG 16, particularly Indicator 16.3.1, which measures the reporting of victimization to competent authorities or officially recognized dispute-resolution mechanisms, this engagement demonstrates a broader institutional contribution to strengthening the rule of law and legal protection at the local level. Although the development of a regional regulation does not directly measure the reporting of victimization under Indicator 16.3.1, it supports the wider justice framework by advancing legal recognition, reducing potential barriers to the protection of Indigenous communities’ rights, and promoting more inclusive and accountable local governance.

Expert for local government

Rendy Airlangga, S.H., M.H., an expert in criminal law at the Faculty of Law, Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), received a formal request to provide expert testimony in a criminal case involving embezzlement in office (Tindak Pidana Penggelapan dalam Jabatan). The case concerns the offense stipulated under Article 374 of the Indonesian Criminal Code under Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 1946, which corresponds to Article 488 of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code. The request was made by the Surabaya City Metropolitan Police (Polrestabes Surabaya), reflecting the involvement of UNESA’s academic expertise in supporting law enforcement at the local government level. By providing expert opinions on criminal law, UNESA contributes academic knowledge and legal analysis to assist law enforcement authorities in examining criminal cases in accordance with applicable legal provisions.

This engagement demonstrates UNESA’s contribution to SDG 16, particularly Indicator 16.3.1, which concerns the reporting of victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized dispute-resolution mechanisms. Through the involvement of its criminal law expert, UNESA supports the broader institutional efforts of local law enforcement to uphold the rule of law, strengthen the administration of justice, and promote the fair and effective handling of criminal proceedings. Although the provision of expert testimony does not, by itself, directly measure the reporting of victimization under Indicator 16.3.1, it illustrates UNESA’s practical contribution to the local justice system and its cooperation with public authorities in supporting lawful and accountable criminal justice processes.

Further evidence

Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA) provides specific expert advice to local government through its Faculty of Law, which since 17 July 2026 has an academic partnership with the Government of Nganjuk Regency under which the faculty mentors and advises the regency's civil service on law, public policy and good governance.

Local government

Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA) provides specific expert advice to local government through its Faculty of Law (Fakultas Hukum), which on 17 July 2026 entered into an academic partnership with the Civil Service and Human Resource Development Agency (Badan Kepegawaian dan Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia, BKPSDM) of Nganjuk Regency.

Under the partnership, the faculty acts as Nganjuk Regency Government's academic partner, providing legal scholarship, training and ongoing mentoring (pendampingan) to its civil servants (Aparatur Sipil Negara, ASN), specifically on current regulation, lawful decision making, drafting of local legal products, and good governance. The partnership is described as continuing (berkelanjutan), so the faculty's advisory role is not limited to a single session.

The advice is university-level, delivered by the Faculty of Law as a unit rather than by one named individual, and it is aimed at Nganjuk Regency's civil service, the officials who administer the regency's regulations and public services (Fakultas Hukum, 2026). Nganjuk's personnel agency, BKPSDM, can confirm the scope of the mentoring given under the partnership.