JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS — Amnesty International Indonesia has called for an independent and transparent investigation into an alleged violent crackdown by security forces on civilian humanitarian volunteers in Krueng Mane, North Aceh, describing the incident as a serious human rights violation.

The incident occurred on Thursday night, December 25, when a convoy of civilians transporting disaster relief supplies to flood-hit Aceh Tamiang was reportedly stopped by a joint team of Indonesian military (TNI) and police officers.

What began as an inspection allegedly escalated into acts of violence against unarmed volunteers.
Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, Usman Hamid, said the incident went far beyond a routine security operation.

“This was not merely a field-level friction, but a grave violation of human rights,” Hamid said in a statement. “Repressive actions allegedly carried out by joint TNI–Police forces against humanitarian volunteers reflect an abuse of power. Civic humanitarian initiatives were met with raids, restrictions on expression, beatings, kicks, and the use of firearms as intimidation.”

According to Amnesty International, circulating visual evidence shows individuals believed to be security personnel assaulting civilians until they collapsed. Some victims reportedly sustained head injuries after being struck with rifle butts. Hamid stressed that such acts constitute excessive use of force that cannot be justified under any legal standard.

“Every citizen has the right to security and to be free from torture or degrading treatment,” he said. “Claims of enforcing order or regulating flags are in no way proportional to the level of violence displayed. When state agents resort to thug-like methods against unarmed civilians, the state fails its duty to protect its people.”
Amnesty International also highlighted that the incident amounted to a violation of the right to humanitarian assistance.

The convoy, according to the organization, was driven by public solidarity and frustration over what residents perceived as the slow response of the central government to severe flooding in Aceh Tamiang.
“By obstructing aid and abusing volunteers, security forces have indirectly worsened the suffering of disaster victims who are still waiting for help,” Hamid added.

The organization demanded that impunity must not be allowed to persist and urged the government to launch an independent investigation involving the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM). Amnesty also called on the state to abandon militaristic security approaches when responding to civilian initiatives, especially during disasters.

“The government must ensure the safety of all volunteers, guarantee unhindered access for humanitarian aid—including international assistance—and prioritize the protection of citizens’ lives,” Hamid said.

Background of the Incident
Media reports indicate that the violence erupted after security personnel stopped a convoy of aid trucks in Krueng Mane to inspect their cargo and attributes, particularly the display of the Crescent Star flag, a symbol closely associated with Aceh. Tensions escalated, resulting in physical violence that reportedly injured at least five civilians.

Three viral videos circulating on social media appear to show the assaults taking place at night. One video shows individuals wearing green camouflage uniforms kicking a person repeatedly until he collapsed, while police officers in brown uniforms were seen nearby. Other footage shows uniformed men carrying long-barreled firearms striking civilians, with at least one victim bleeding from the head and another lying unconscious inside a vehicle.

One victim reportedly suffered a head laceration after being struck with a rifle butt, despite claiming he was not carrying the Crescent Star flag. The victim, a resident of Alue Kuta village in Bireuen Regency, told media outlets that the attack occurred while he and other volunteers from various regions were en route to deliver flood relief to Aceh Tamiang.

As of Thursday night, dozens of motorcycles and cars were reportedly still stranded in the Krueng Mane area, while injured civilians received medical treatment at the Muara Batu Community Health Center.

The Indonesian military, through the Iskandar Muda Regional Military Command (Kodam Iskandar Muda), stated that the dispersal and seizure were carried out because the Crescent Star flag was considered illegal and claimed the convoy had disrupted traffic order. (Uki)