Plagiarism Prevention Policy

Contemporary Issues on Indonesian Human Rights Law and Policy is committed to maintaining academic integrity and protecting the originality and reliability of the scholarly record. The journal has a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct, including the unauthorized appropriation of ideas, words, data, arguments, legal analysis, or other scholarly materials.

This policy applies to all manuscripts submitted to the journal, including regular submissions, invited articles, review articles, manuscripts submitted for Special Issues, and manuscripts originating from academic conferences or scholarly events.

The journal's plagiarism prevention policy is informed by internationally recognized principles of publication ethics, including the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices and the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing promoted by COPE, DOAJ, OASPA, and WAME.

1. Definition of Plagiarism

For the purposes of this policy, plagiarism is the presentation of another person's words, ideas, arguments, data, findings, or other intellectual contributions as one's own without appropriate acknowledgment.

Plagiarism may occur in written, visual, digital, legal, empirical, or other forms of scholarly communication.

Examples include:

  • Direct copying of text without quotation marks and appropriate citation;
  • Copying substantial portions of another publication without proper attribution;
  • Appropriating another researcher's ideas, arguments, theories, or interpretations without acknowledgment;
  • Presenting another person's data or findings as one's own;
  • Copying tables, figures, charts, images, or other visual materials without appropriate attribution or permission where required;
  • Translation plagiarism, in which material is translated from another language and presented without appropriate acknowledgment;
  • Mosaic or patchwork plagiarism, in which phrases or passages from multiple sources are combined without adequate attribution;
  • Plagiarism of legal analysis, including unattributed reproduction of another author's interpretation or argument concerning legislation, regulations, court decisions, or legal principles;
  • Use of unpublished manuscripts, conference papers, research reports, theses, or other confidential scholarly materials without permission and attribution; and
  • Reuse of substantial portions of the author's own previously published work without appropriate disclosure or citation (self-plagiarism).

2. Similarity Checking

All submitted manuscripts may be subjected to text similarity screening using an appropriate plagiarism-detection or similarity-checking system.

Similarity screening may be conducted:

  • During initial editorial screening;
  • Before peer review;
  • During revision;
  • Before acceptance; and/or
  • At any stage after publication where concerns arise.

The journal may use more than one method or tool where necessary to assess suspected plagiarism or inappropriate textual overlap.

Similarity checking is an editorial screening mechanism and not, by itself, a determination of plagiarism.

A similarity score does not automatically establish that plagiarism has occurred, because legitimate similarities may arise from:

  • Properly quoted material;
  • Common terminology;
  • Legal provisions and statutory language;
  • Names of institutions, cases, regulations, or treaties;
  • Standard methodological terminology;
  • Bibliographic information;
  • Technical phrases;
  • References and citations; or
  • Other unavoidable textual similarities.

Conversely, a relatively low similarity score does not necessarily mean that a manuscript is free from plagiarism. Plagiarism involving ideas, translated material, data, argumentation, or appropriately paraphrased material may not be detected by conventional similarity software.

The Editor therefore evaluates the nature, source, extent, location, and context of similarities before making an editorial decision.

3. Similarity Threshold

The journal does not rely on a single fixed similarity percentage as an automatic basis for acceptance or rejection.

A manuscript with a relatively high similarity percentage may still be acceptable where the similarity is attributable primarily to legitimate quotations, legal provisions, technical terminology, references, or other properly attributed material.

Conversely, a manuscript with a low similarity percentage may be investigated where there is evidence of unattributed appropriation of ideas, arguments, data, translations, or other intellectual contributions.

The Editorial Office may establish internal similarity thresholds for screening purposes. Such internal thresholds are editorial tools rather than public acceptance criteria and may be adjusted according to the nature of the manuscript and developments in scholarly publishing.

4. Author Responsibilities

Authors are primarily responsible for ensuring the originality and integrity of their submissions.

Before submission, authors should:

  • Properly cite all sources used in the manuscript;
  • Use quotation marks for directly reproduced wording;
  • Clearly distinguish their own arguments from those of other scholars;
  • Provide appropriate attribution for ideas, theories, data, tables, figures, and other materials;
  • Obtain permission where required for copyrighted materials;
  • Properly disclose and cite their own previous publications where relevant;
  • Avoid substantial undisclosed reuse of previously published text;
  • Verify all references and citations for accuracy; and
  • Review the manuscript carefully for inadvertent plagiarism before submission.

Authors remain responsible for the content of manuscripts even when plagiarism-detection or writing-assistance tools have been used.

5. Self-Plagiarism and Text Recycling

The journal recognizes that some reuse of previously published material may be legitimate in limited circumstances, particularly where authors need to explain established concepts, research methods, or the background of an ongoing research project.

However, authors must not substantially reproduce their own previously published work without appropriate disclosure.

Significant undisclosed reuse may constitute self-plagiarism, redundant publication, or text recycling.

Where previous material is reused legitimately, authors should:

  • Cite the original publication;
  • Clearly identify the reused material where appropriate;
  • Explain the relationship between the previous and current work; and
  • Ensure that the new manuscript makes a substantial and clearly identifiable scholarly contribution.

The Editor will assess cases of text recycling based on the extent and purpose of reuse and its effect on the originality of the manuscript.

6. Plagiarism in Legal Scholarship

Because the journal specializes in human rights law and policy, plagiarism assessment also takes into account the specific characteristics of legal scholarship.

Certain textual similarities may be unavoidable when authors reproduce:

  • Statutory provisions;
  • Constitutional provisions;
  • Regulations;
  • International treaties;
  • Judicial decisions;
  • Official government documents;
  • Institutional terminology; or
  • Standard legal formulations.

Such material does not automatically constitute plagiarism when it is accurately reproduced, appropriately attributed, and used for legitimate scholarly purposes.

However, authors must not reproduce another scholar's original legal reasoning, interpretation, doctrinal framework, comparative analysis, or theoretical argument without appropriate acknowledgment merely because the underlying legal materials are publicly available.

7. Translation Plagiarism

Translation does not eliminate the obligation to acknowledge the original source.

The unauthorized translation of another author's publication, thesis, research report, article, or other scholarly work and its presentation as an original contribution constitutes plagiarism.

Authors must cite the original source when:

  • Translating another author's text;
  • Paraphrasing translated material;
  • Adapting an argument from another language; or
  • Using translated data, findings, or interpretations.

Where substantial copyrighted material is translated, authors must also comply with applicable copyright and permission requirements.

8. Plagiarism Involving AI-Generated or AI-Assisted Content

The use of artificial intelligence or generative AI does not exempt authors from the journal's originality and attribution requirements.

Authors remain responsible for ensuring that AI-assisted manuscripts do not contain:

  • Unattributed copied material;
  • Fabricated references;
  • False quotations;
  • Misrepresented sources;
  • Inaccurate legal authorities;
  • Unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted material; or
  • Content presented as original when it was derived from another person's work.

AI-generated or AI-assisted text must not be used as a means of concealing plagiarism.

The use of generative AI must also comply with the journal's Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI Policy.

9. Manuscripts with Suspected Plagiarism Before Peer Review

If substantial plagiarism or inappropriate textual overlap is identified during editorial screening, the Editor may:

  • Reject the manuscript without external peer review;
  • Request an explanation from the authors;
  • Request revision where the issue appears minor and inadvertent;
  • Request additional documentation or clarification; or
  • Initiate a formal publication ethics investigation where serious misconduct is suspected.

The response will depend on the seriousness, extent, and nature of the suspected misconduct.

10. Plagiarism Identified During Peer Review

If a reviewer identifies suspected plagiarism, the reviewer should notify the Editor and provide relevant information or sources where possible.

Reviewers should not directly accuse or contact the authors regarding suspected plagiarism.

The Editor will independently assess the concern and may conduct additional similarity checks or seek clarification from the authors.

Where substantial plagiarism is confirmed, the manuscript may be rejected and the matter may be handled in accordance with the journal's Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement.

11. Plagiarism Identified After Acceptance

If plagiarism is discovered after a manuscript has been accepted but before publication, the journal may:

  • Suspend publication;
  • Reopen the editorial assessment;
  • Request an explanation from the authors;
  • Require substantial correction where appropriate; or
  • Reject the manuscript if serious plagiarism is confirmed.

Acceptance does not prevent the journal from taking action where new evidence raises concerns about the integrity of the manuscript.

12. Plagiarism Identified After Publication

The journal takes post-publication plagiarism concerns seriously.

Where credible evidence of plagiarism is identified after publication, the Editor may conduct an investigation in accordance with applicable publication ethics principles.

Depending on the circumstances, the journal may:

  • Publish a correction;
  • Publish a clarification;
  • Issue an Expression of Concern;
  • Retract the article;
  • Notify the relevant institution or research integrity body; or
  • Take other appropriate action to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

A retraction may be considered where plagiarism is substantial and materially affects the originality, attribution, or integrity of the published work.

13. Investigation and Due Process

Allegations of plagiarism will be handled fairly, confidentially, and in accordance with the journal's publication ethics procedures.

The Editor may:

  1. Assess the allegation and available evidence;
  2. Compare the manuscript with the suspected source;
  3. Request an explanation from the corresponding author;
  4. Request clarification or documentation from other relevant parties;
  5. Consult independent academic experts where necessary;
  6. Contact the author's institution or relevant research integrity body in serious cases; and
  7. Determine appropriate editorial action based on the available evidence.

The journal will not make public allegations of misconduct before an appropriate assessment has been conducted, except where disclosure is necessary to protect the integrity of the scholarly record or to comply with applicable legal or ethical requirements.

14. Consequences of Confirmed Plagiarism

The editorial response will depend on the severity and circumstances of the misconduct.

Minor or Inadvertent Problems

Where the issue involves limited and apparently inadvertent inappropriate attribution, the Editor may request correction, clarification, or revision before publication.

Substantial Plagiarism

Where substantial plagiarism is confirmed, the manuscript may be rejected or withdrawn from consideration.

Serious or Deliberate Plagiarism

Where there is clear evidence of deliberate or extensive plagiarism, the journal may:

  • Reject the manuscript;
  • Prohibit resubmission for an appropriate period where justified;
  • Notify relevant institutional authorities;
  • Notify affected authors or publishers where appropriate;
  • Investigate related submissions or publications by the same authors; and/or
  • Take post-publication action, including retraction, where the article has already been published.

The journal will determine the appropriate response on a case-by-case basis.

15. False or Malicious Allegations

The journal also recognizes that allegations of plagiarism may be made in error or in bad faith.

The Editorial Office will therefore assess allegations based on evidence rather than unsubstantiated claims.

Knowingly making malicious or demonstrably false allegations against authors, reviewers, editors, or other scholarly participants may itself be considered inappropriate conduct.

16. Responsibility of Editors and Reviewers

Editors and reviewers share responsibility for protecting the integrity of the publication process.

Editors should:

  • Apply plagiarism screening consistently;
  • Assess similarity reports critically;
  • Investigate credible concerns;
  • Maintain confidentiality;
  • Avoid premature conclusions; and
  • Take appropriate action where misconduct is confirmed.

Reviewers should report suspected plagiarism to the Editor rather than contacting authors directly.

Reviewers must not use unpublished material from a manuscript to advance their own research or reproduce the author's ideas.

17. Prevention and Author Education

The journal views plagiarism prevention not only as an enforcement mechanism but also as part of responsible scholarly education.

Authors are encouraged to:

  • Familiarize themselves with responsible citation practices;
  • Maintain accurate research notes and source records;
  • Use quotation and paraphrasing appropriately;
  • Verify citations against original sources;
  • Distinguish clearly between primary and secondary sources;
  • Disclose previous publications and related manuscripts; and
  • Conduct an originality check before submission.

The Editorial Office may return manuscripts for correction of attribution or citation problems before proceeding to external peer review.

18. Policy for Editors and Special Issues

This policy applies equally to manuscripts submitted through:

  • Regular submissions;
  • Special Issues;
  • Guest Editors;
  • Conference-based Special Issues;
  • Invited articles; and
  • Editorially commissioned manuscripts.

No author, editor, Guest Editor, reviewer, institution, or invited contributor is exempt from plagiarism screening or the journal's publication ethics requirements.

19. Commitment to Academic Integrity

Contemporary Issues on Indonesian Human Rights Law and Policy considers originality, accurate attribution, and intellectual honesty fundamental to the advancement of human rights scholarship.

The journal therefore seeks to prevent plagiarism through a combination of:

  • Author education;
  • Clear citation and attribution requirements;
  • Similarity screening;
  • Editorial assessment;
  • Rigorous peer review;
  • Publication ethics procedures; and
  • Appropriate correction or retraction of the scholarly record where necessary.

The journal's approach is consistent with the principle that similarity-detection technology should support, rather than replace, informed editorial judgment. All allegations of plagiarism are assessed in context and handled in accordance with internationally recognized principles of publication ethics, including relevant COPE Core Practices and DOAJ Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing.