Death of Young Private Exposes Deep-Rooted Violence in Indonesian Military

The victim’s mother told reporters her son had confided to her about the abuse just hours before he died, but the battalion leadership never informed the family of his critical condition. His older brother alleged attempts to silence the family, including demands for the victim’s phone and pressure on their father, an active army sergeant major, to drop the case.

Army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Wahyu Yudhayana said Lucky was injured during a soldier training activity and that other participants in separate sessions were unharmed. He did not name the other alleged victims.

Amnesty also condemned reports of intimidation against Lucky’s relatives, calling for authorities to grant them full access to information about his death. “No effort should be made to cover up the facts,” Usman said.

Under both international and Indonesian law, torture is prohibited in all circumstances. Indonesia’s Constitution, its Human Rights Law, and the UN Convention Against Torture — which the country ratified in 1998 — affirm that no one may be subjected to such treatment for any reason. (Uki Ruknuddin)