JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Amnesty International Indonesia has strongly condemned the excessive use of force and violence by police during the peaceful International Workers’ Day protests on May 1, 2025, in multiple cities including Jakarta and Semarang. The organization called these acts a sign of worsening authoritarianism in Indonesia.

Deputy Director Wirya Adiwena stated that security forces once again employed brutal, cruel, and inhumane tactics against peaceful protestors. This behavior, he said, reflects a broader effort by the government to suppress freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Amnesty documented various human rights violations by the police, such as arbitrary arrests, excessive force, illegal searches, and attacks on journalists and medical workers. Plainclothes officers also reportedly took part in unlawful actions without clear identification.

One major concern raised is the ongoing impunity within the Indonesian National Police. Amnesty emphasized that the lack of accountability for past incidents has allowed police violence to persist unchecked.

In Jakarta, the Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) reported that police disrupted a peaceful protest near the Parliament, conducted unjustified searches, and accused students of being “anarchists” without evidence. Police dispersed the crowd violently using tear gas and water cannons.

Fourteen people were arrested in Jakarta, including four medical workers. Many detainees reported being beaten and mistreated, with some sustaining head injuries. One female protester reported experiencing sexual harassment by police during detention.

A journalist from progreSIP was assaulted by plainclothes officers while filming the protest. Despite showing press credentials, he was accused of being an anarchist, forced to delete footage, and experienced physical assault resulting in breathing difficulties and shock.

In Semarang, police also violently dispersed demonstrators with tear gas and water cannons, with some canisters reportedly hitting a medical post. At least 14 protestors were detained as of Friday, according to LBH Semarang.

A Tempo journalist in Semarang was attacked twice—once choked and nearly slammed while covering a protest, and later punched repeatedly by officers despite being in the presence of a police commander. Other journalists faced similar harassment.

Student journalists also faced violence. A student press editor was beaten while filming police actions and required stitches for facial injuries. Members of student media groups from UIN and UPGRIS were also reportedly assaulted.

Amnesty International has called on the Indonesian government, Parliament, and oversight bodies to launch a full investigation into the events. The group urged authorities to hold those responsible accountable and immediately release individuals detained for peacefully protesting. (Uki Ruknuddin)

YouTube player