Jakarta – The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has revealed that a number of alleged violations of standard operating procedures or protap by police took place during the high-school and university student protests in September 2019.
Komnas HAM Deputy Commissioner Hairansyah stated that the alleged violations included violence and the use of force as well as delayed medical attention for protesters who suffered injuries.
“[Based on] information from the police, victims were not taken to hospital but taken to police stations and treated by whatever was available”, said Hairansyah when giving an explanation of the findings at the Komnas HAM offices in Central Jakarta on Thursday January 9.
On the alleged acts of violence meanwhile, according to Hairansyah, further substantiation is needed. In accordance with stipulations, there are specific limits on what may be done by police, for example under extenuating circumstances to protect themselves.
The other violations, continued Hairansyah, were restrictions on access to people who had been detained and restrictions on legal aid. According to Hairansyah, this had the potential for violence because there was no legal assistance.
“Evidence of this was confirmed by findings of intimidation when we conducted checks there. Information on the numbers and status of those arrested was also very conflicting”, he said.
In addition to this, he said, police also failed to comply with security procedures during nighttime protests resulting in injuries and deaths.
Referring to data from police, 1,489 people were arrested in Jakarta on October 15, 2019. Hairansyah said that out of this total, 1,109 were later released, 380 people were declared suspects (charged), 218 cases were deferred and 70 people detained.
In addition to this five people died namely three students in Jakarta and two students in Kendari, South Sulawesi.
“From this it is clear that we found the rights [of protesters] were violated, namely the right to life, the rights of children, the right to medical treatment, the right to obtain justice and the right to feel secure”, said Hairansyah.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Komnas HAM Kuak Dugaan Pelanggaran Polisi saat Aksi Mahasiswa”.]
