Responding to the arrests of dozens of students who held a demonstration in front of the Jakarta City Hall commemorating 27 years of reformasi – the political reform process that began in 1998 – Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid, said:
"It's ironic, the students who commemorate 27 years of reformasi that marked the fall of the authoritarian government of [former president] Suharto actually experienced mass arrests.
In fact the Trisakti students only wanted to convey their peaceful aspirations to the Jakarta Bakesbangpol [United Nation and Political Agency] offices. However, in the process there was tension between a number of participants at the action and security officers at the City Hall.
The police are indeed authorised to take action against anyone who violates the law in a demonstration. However, the response taken must be proportional according to the threat faced. Mass arrests can actually be avoided. Given their status as active students, we hope that the police will release them.
Excessive responses in the form of mass arrests like this are also contrary to the commitment of Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung to protect all forms of peaceful protest in the Jakarta area. In a meeting between Anung and Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard in March, the Jakarta governor was committed to coordinating with the Metro Jaya Regional Police to protect all forms of peaceful action in Jakarta."
Background
A credible Amnesty International Indonesia source revealed that 93 Trisakti University students were arrested after the chaos during the demonstration at the Jakarta City Hall on Wednesday May 21. As of Thursday afternoon they are still being detained the Metro Jaya Regional Police Headquarters related to allegations of assault, destruction of public facilities and provoking the masses.
At the time the students were holding a demonstration to commemorate 27 years of reformasi and wanted to convey their peaceful aspirations so that the Jakarta Bakesbangpol would make the four students who were shot dead by security forces during the Trisakti Tragedy on May 12, 1998 national heroes.
The chaos starting when the protesters wanted to convey their aspirations and some of them entered the area inside the City Hall complex, but security officers responded by closing the gates. Shortly afterwards there was a riot between the protesters, the police and internal security officers who were on guard at the gate.
At around 5 pm the police arrested 93 students participating in the action and took them to the Metro Jaya Regional Police. The Amnesty source also revealed that the authorities confiscated the personal belongings of the arrested protesters such as watches, rings, necklaces and other items. Since their detention, legal assistance for the students has been obstructed and they are not free to meet with their parents.
Based on the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, a person can be arrested if there is a serious and deadly danger and this can only be done if the less extreme methods are inadequate to prevent death or serious injuries.
The Central Jakarta Metro Jaya Regional Police, according to media reports, stated that the arrests were carried out because the protesters allegedly assaulted police officers and that seven officers were injured.
The Trisakti University Consultation and Legal Aid Foundation (LKBH) revealed to the media that the arrested protesters were being questioned and in the investigation the police plan to apply Article 212, Article 160 and Article 170 of the Criminal Code (KUHP).
Today, May 22, Amnesty International Indonesia met with Pramono Anung to help encourage the release of the students.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Bebaskan mahasiswa Trisakti yang ditangkap saat peringatan 27 tahun Reformasi".]