Medan – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) and North Sumatra Legal Aid (Bakumsu) have placed the police force in first place for basic human rights abuses and cases of violence in the province this year.

Of 145 cases of human rights abuse and violence involving law enforcers recorded this year, the police reportedly committed 107 cases, followed by the Indonesian Military (TNI) with eight cases, the prosecutor's office (six cases), bureaucracy (four cases), public order officers (one case) and 16 other cases involving other offenders.

North Sumatra Kontras coordinator Muhrizal Syahputra said the high rate of cases of human rights abuse and violence committed by police this year showed that the police were unable to protect and serve the public as expected. Additionally, Muhrizal said, the police appeared to be against society as they were often used to safeguard businesses.