BANGKOK, Thailand (5 May 2025) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the violence, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests carried out by the West Sumatra police against peaceful protesters seeking to evaluate the performance of the West Sumatra police chief.
This arrest undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent for all human rights defenders across Indonesia.
FORUM-ASIA calls on the Indonesian Government to uphold its constitutional and international human rights obligations. It should uphold people’s freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. Silencing dissent through violence and detention is an attack against democracy and the rule of law.
The government must also ensure that human rights defenders–including lawyers and legal aid providers–can safely carry out their invaluable work without fear of reprisals.
“FORUM-ASIA is deeply alarmed by the police’s use of excessive force against protesters who were simply exercising their right to peaceful protest. The police must face sanctions for their repressive actions. Likewise, the arrest of legal aid providers is a grave violation of human rights protections,” said Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA.
What happened
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, a FORUM-ASIA member organization, received a report regarding the West Sumatra police’s use of repressive force during a peaceful demonstration organized by the West Sumatra Civil Society Coalition on 21 April 2025. This was the second wave of the protest, following a similar event on 17 April.
The protest was staged in front of the West Sumatra Regional Police Headquarters, coinciding with the West Sumatra police chief’s first 100 days in office. Protesters were requesting a dialogue with the police chief.
The protest began peacefully until the police issued first and second warnings, followed by the deployment of water cannons. Shortly after, the police started making arrests.
Twelve individuals were arrested, four of whom are legal aid providers from the Padang Legal Aid Foundation. The four were present at the demonstration for the purpose of providing legal assistance to protestors.
One protester had to be rushed to the hospital due to injuries sustained from alleged police beatings. The police also reportedly attempted to conduct urine testing on the arrested. The reason, however, remains unclear.
As of 22 April, 11 people have been released, while one individual remains in detention.
Call to Action
The police’s use of excessive force violates the fundamental freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly as well as the right to fair legal protection as guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution of Indonesia, the Criminal Procedure Code, and international human rights instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The arrest of legal aid providers violates Indonesia’s law on legal aid, which guarantees that they cannot be criminally charged or sued in civil court for actions taken in the course of their duties. Likewise, they are entitled to legal protection, security, and safety while delivering legal assistance.
This is yet another example of violations of the freedom of peaceful assembly and association. The protesters and legal aid providers should never have been arrested in the first place.
FORUM-ASIA calls for an independent and impartial investigation into the police’s reported use of excessive force against peaceful protesters. All victims must have access to remedy.
For the PDF version of this statement, click here
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