TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) has reported difficulties in providing legal assistance to 27 protesters arrested by the police during demonstrations against the revision of the Regional Election Law at the House of Representatives (DPR) Building. Of those detained, seven were minors who were questioned without legal representation.

“Of the 27 arrested, only six have received assistance as of 03:33 a.m.,” said TAUD member Gema Gita Persada in the early hours of Friday, August 23, 2024.

She stated that the organization faced obstacles when attempting to accompany the victims to the Metro Jaya Police’s Directorate of General Criminal Investigation. These obstacles were considered a violation of the right to access legal assistance.

“The police are once again carrying out their profession by overriding the law,” said Gema.

At around 01:40 a.m., Tempo witnessed an argument between TAUD and police officers in the lobby of the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation. In the conversation, TAUD wished to make sure who was being questioned by the officers. However, the officers claimed not to know and asked for a list of names who wanted to be assisted.

“The obstacles to assistance continue until now,” said Gema at around 03:46 a.m.

In addition, Gema said the organization also received reports of 105 arrests at the West Jakarta Police and three arrests at the Tanjung Duren Police. “We have not succeeded in identifying the names,” she added.

Moreover, Gema said that officers confiscated and searched the cell phones of the detained individuals.

Tempo had attempted to reach the Metro Jaya Police’s Public Relations Head Sr. Comr. Ade Ary Syam Indradi since Thursday evening, August 22, 2024. However, Ade did not respond and only read the message.

Meanwhile, the East Jakarta Metro Police admitted to arresting 159 school students who were planning to participate in the demonstration at the DPR Building. The police prevented the students from reaching Central Jakarta by implementing roadblocks and arrests.

The arrested students would be registered, and their parents and schools would be contacted to supervise their activities. The police emphasized the importance of parental and school supervision to prevent future involvement in such protests.

ADIL AL HASAN

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