TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Amid student protests taking place across Indonesia, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) calls on all parties to protect children against violence and uphold their rights to express themselves in a safe environment, free from violence and intimidation, according to national and international legislation.

In recent days, children have been caught up in the violence and there are credible reports that some children have been arrested and held for longer than 24 hours.

“We must remain vigilant in upholding and protecting children’s rights at all times,” said UNICEF Representative Debora Comini in a press release received by Tempo Tuesday, October 1.

She said that children and young people in Indonesia have the right to express themselves and engage in dialogue on issues that affect them. “And we must ensure they receive timely and appropriate support if they come into contact with the law.”

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes the rights of children to freedom of association and to freedom of peaceful assembly. In line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Indonesia’s Child Protection Act guarantees the rights of every child in Indonesia to speak and have his/her opinion listened to, including in political matters, while also protecting them from misuse in political activities, and social unrest.

“The protests remind us of the need to create meaningful opportunities – online and offline – for children and youth to express their views freely and peacefully in Indonesia,” said Comini.

UNICEF calls attention to special provisions for children within Indonesia’s criminal justice system when children who are involved in protests come in contact with the law. Indonesia’s Juvenile Justice Law stipulates that deprivation of liberty and imprisonment are a last resort.

The Arrest of a child under 18 should be for a maximum period of 24 hours, and every child has the right to be kept separate from adults; provided with legal and other assistance; protected from torture, cruel punishment or treatment, and degrading or demeaning treatment; spared arrest, detainment or imprisonment, to receive justice from an objective and impartial juvenile court, and to receive support from family members.

A series of protests staged by students; university and high school levels, across the country for the past several days to express their aspirations toward the government. The demonstrations, held from September 23 to September 30, turned into riots where many of the protestors fell into victims; either being injured or arrested by authorities.

*)