Arya Dipa, Bandung – The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) is looking into a report concerning the alleged abuse of two underage people during a May Day rally at the hands of authorities in Bandung, West Java.
"The two boys reported the incident to their parents, who later filed a report with the Bandung Legal Aid Institute (LBH Bandung), which then reported the incident to us on Tuesday," KPAI commissioner Retno Listyarti told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Retno said that according to the report, the two boys, 15 and 17 years old, were reportedly beaten with iron and wooden sticks as well as plastic pipes. One of the boys suffered from a bleeding nose after being pierced with an iron stick.
The two boys were reportedly told to undress and roll around on the road. They also had their heads shaved, Retno said.
"We were informed that the boys were living in fear and were traumatized after the incident. They were reportedly bullied by their schoolmates because of their bruises and shaved heads," she said.
The two boys were reportedly among the 600 protesters detained by Bandung Police after a riot erupted during a rally held to commemorate International Workers Day, which falls on May 1. Approximately 293 of those detained were underage, Retno said.
She said the KPAI would hold a meeting on Monday to decide on the steps they needed to take to resolve the issue. Retno added that the KPAI would meet with the West Java Police to discuss the case.
"We respect the police for their security efforts, but human rights and presumption of innocence should be upheld, especially when children are involved," she said, adding that the KPAI would also speak with the boys once they were ready.