Farih Maulana Sidik, Jakarta – Students from a number of different campuses held a demonstration in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta to commemorate International Human Rights Day on Tuesday December 10.
The students, who marched from the nearby Horse Statue, were joined by workers, the majority of which wore red clothing.
The protesters brought posters with the message “Humans without Humanity, Demanding that the Government Resolve Human Rights Violations and Stop Violating Humanitarian Values”. The protesters could also be seen carrying flags belong to the Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance Confederation (KASBI).
Because of the protest action, Jl. Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat in the direction of Harmoni was closed although TransJakarta busses were still able to pass using the dedicated busway lane.
Vehicle heading north from the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle towards Harmoni were allowed to use the busway while vehicles travelling on Jl Medan Merdeka Barat from Harmoni were still able to pass.
A number of police officers were on hand to secure the protest action and could be seen erecting a blockade to prevent the demonstrators from approaching the State Palace.
University of Indonesia Student Executive Council (BEM UI) Chairperson Manik Marganamahendra said that during the action the students were still taking up the issue of #ReformasiDikorupsi (Reform Corrupted).
Marganamahendra also raised the issue of resoling past gross human rights (HAM) violations and the repressive handling of demonstrations rejecting revisions to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law in September.
“We’re still taking up the earlier issue of #ReformasiDikorupsi. In addition to which we are also commemorating International HAM Day, BEM UI itself is demanding that the government immediately solve past HAM violations. We’re also demanding that the state release one of our colleagues who was arrested [in September], that they be immediately released”, said Marganamahendra at the location.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Peringati Hari HAM Internasional, Mahasiswa-Buruh Demo di Depan Istana”.]
