Shelina Theodora and Dhea Praja Gupta, students at the Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University, won first place in the Fasih Law Fair 2025 Legal Opinion Competition, held by the Faculty of Law at Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah State Islamic University in Tulungagung on June 24–25, 2025. Competing as delegates of FPPH Palapa, the two represented the UGM Faculty of Law in this prestigious event, which brought together law students from various universities across Indonesia to hone their analytical skills, legal argumentation, and professional presentation abilities.
This year’s theme was “The Role of Law in Defining Crimes and Punishments,” featuring a case study that highlighted the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ (TNI) conduct of Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW), particularly in the context of military actions affecting civilians. The delegation was challenged to dissect criminal liability within the framework of military criminal law, assess OMSP’s compliance with legal procedures, and analyze the legal status when civilians become victims of mistaken shooting due to being mistaken for a threat. Additionally, legal strategies that civilians can pursue to recover damages were also part of the analysis. In drafting a comprehensive legal opinion, Shelina and Dhea conducted in-depth research involving academic literature and direct interviews with academics and active-duty TNI members, ranging from captains to lieutenant colonels.
This achievement reinforces the Faculty of Law at UGM’s position as an institution that consistently nurtures highly competitive students with a broad understanding of public law dynamics, including issues of state institutional accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights. This success is also in line with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), which emphasizes the importance of justice, peace, and resilient institutions. Through this achievement, UGM Law School students have demonstrated their capacity as future legal experts ready to address the challenges of our time with a critical, research-based approach grounded in constitutional values.
Author: FPPH Palapa Delegation
