Komnas HAM: Police Brimob Violate Human Rights in Kampung Bali

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has discovered violations against human rights committed by the police when handling the riot in Sarinah and its vicinity area on May 21 to May 23, 2019. The commission highlighted that the police used excessive force in Kampung Bali, Tanah Abang.

The incident in Kampung Bali, which occurred on May 23, went viral on social media. At that time, personnel of the police's mobile brigade (Brimob) were tracking for rioters. Based on the viral video footage and witnesses’ testimony at the location, several young people were arrested and brutally attacked.

Komnas HAM member Mochammad Choirul Anam said that the action taken by Brimob personnel was a violation against human rights. His agency had examined the video footage and verified Brimob personnel committed the assault.

"We have delivered [the case] to the police to be followed-up," he said on Thursday, June 20, 2019. "Last news I've heard, they have followed up the case even though not thoroughly, but there is progress," Anam added.

Anam underlined the police could not take arbitrary actions even when dealing with rioters. According to him, the public could now record or picture every violation and make it viral on social media.

"The incident [in Kampung Bali] made it to the public," he said, adding that Komnas HAM was still investigating other indications of violation during the riot. "We're still examining it with several pieces of evidence we possess."

As reported earlier, several Brimob personnel attacked a suspected rioter in the parking area of Al Huda Mosque, Kampung Bali, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. Police claimed Andri Bibir was the victim in the video and is now detained in Jakarta Metro Police.

Meanwhile, Tempo's investigation identified the victim as Markus Ali, who is still under intensive treatment in National Police Hospital due to wounds from the incident.

IMAM HAMDI