Indonesia’s Legal Measures in Combating Illegal Mercury Trade: Post-Minamata Convention Efforts

Abstract

The Minamata Convention on Mercury, held on October 10, 2013, is a global response to the threat of pollution resulting from mercury waste. The Indonesian government ratified the Convention through Law No. 17 of 2017 concerning the Ratification of the Minamata Convention. Even so, the existence of the Minamata Convention itself does not necessarily change the practice of illegal mercury trading, which is still common, including in the territories of countries that are participants in the Convention. The purpose of this article is to delve into the persisting problem of illegal mercury trade, highlighting the inadequacies in current criminal law enforcement at both international and national levels, especially in the aftermath of the Minamata Convention. Further, it seeks to identify an effective strategy for Indonesia to combat this issue, emphasizing the need for robust measures in the face of continued illegal activities.The research method itself uses a normative juridical method with a statutory and case-based approach related to illegal mercury trades. The research results indicate that, at the international level, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed in the post-Minamata Convention era. These challenges include the complexity of transnational crimes related to illegal mercury trading, particularly those concerning the coordination of investigations, prosecutions, and extraditions between countries. At the national level, Indonesia should focus on enhancing law enforcement, raising awareness of the dangers of mercury, and maintaining international cooperation