TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) condemned police brutality while dispersing protests against the Regional Head Election Law revision by the House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday. Komnas HAM believed the deployed military personnel used excessive force against protesters.

Komnas HAM Commissioner Anis Hidayah said yesterday’s protest was a form of law-protected freedom of expression. “The police must ensure the protest was conducive and ensure the security and protection (of protesters),” she told Tempo on Friday, August 23, 2024.

The human rights agency also highlighted the unlawful mass arrest of protesters. Anis said Komnas HAM has received reports of as many as 159 protesters being detained by the police. “We want those who were arrested to be released soon and their access to legal assistance assured during the process,” Anis said.

The government and DPR Legislative Body’s attempt to overturn the Constitutional Court (MK) decision on regional head election articles sparked mass protests in various parts of the country.

The DPR Legislative Body held a rushed discussion on Wednesday to pass the Regional Head Election Bill while disregarding the MK ruling. DPR then attempted to hold a plenary meeting on Thursday to ratify the Bill.

Mass protests are held among various elements of Indonesian society, including students, activists, civilians, workers, and artists. Chaos erupted in the afternoon after some breached DPR gates and entered the parliamentary complex, prompting a clash between protesters and the police.

ADE RIDWAN YANDWIPUTRA

Editor’s Choice: Police Allegedly Hinder Legal Assistance for Arrested Protesters

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News