GENEVA, Switzerland (8 May 2025) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is gravely concerned over the widespread violence and repression committed by the police against peaceful May Day protesters. 

On 1 May 2025, in commemoration of International Workers’ Day, various labor unions, alliances and civil society groups organized peaceful rallies and protests across major cities in Indonesia. 

The groups protested against the rising authoritarianism and poor policies–under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka–which are detrimental to the welfare and protection of workers’ rights. 

“The violent repression against protestors weakens democratic voices in Indonesia. FORUM-ASIA calls on the Indonesian Government to do a systematic review of the conduct of its police forces and to ensure accountability for the brutality committed against peaceful protestors,” said Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA.

The protests demanded a repeal of the problematic Omnibus Law on Job Creation as well as the recently amended National Armed Forces Law which cemented increasing military involvement in civilian affairs. 

The protesters also called for the enactment of the Domestic Workers Protection Bill which would provide protection for informal workers. Likewise, they demanded the ceasure of the strategic national projects that threaten the livelihoods of indigenous communities.

Police brutality

The protests held in front of the Parliamentary complex were met with police brutality. 

The police reportedly arbitrarily arrested 14 protestors–including four paramedics–according to the Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD). Thirteen of the arrested were reportedly subjected to beatings and assault resulting in significant injuries. 

To disperse the peaceful protests, the police reportedly blasted water canons and shot tear gas. 

Violence against journalists 

One journalist was reportedly attacked in Jakarta. A group of people in plain clothes–who are suspected to be part of the police–also reportedly threatened and forced the journalist to delete their coverage of the protests. 

In Semarang, plain clothes individuals had also reportedly beaten a journalist from Tempo and student journalists from various student alliances covering the protests. 

The police allegedly prevented the student journalists from taking videos of protestors being beaten after their arrests. 

Call to action

The Indonesian Government should ensure compliance with the concluding observations from the Human Rights Committee following its second periodic review of obligations before the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,) which states that the government should ensure that law enforcement  receives regular training on the use of force as guided by the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials and the United Nations Human Rights Guidance on Less-Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement. 

“The Indonesian police force has become an active perpetrator of human rights violations in Indonesia. This should not be the norm. The police should facilitate peaceful protests and never use excessive force against those merely exercising their right to peacefully assemble. This culture of impunity should not be tolerated for it could  ultimately uproot Indonesia’s hard fought democracy,” said Bacalso.  

The post [Statement] INDONESIA: Investigate police brutality during Peaceful May Day Protests, hold perpetrators accountable  first appeared on FORUM-ASIA.

This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.