Name of victims : Participants of Discussion in the building of
the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and Jakarta Legal Aid
Names of alleged perpetrators : Anti-Communist groups
Date of incident : 16-17 September 2017
Place of incident : Menteng, Central Jakarta, Indonesia
It is the matter of deep concern regarding the forced dissolution of a Discussion
on truth-seeking and settlement of past abuses. The meeting was held in
the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) building. On the first day
of the Discussion, Police blocked the main entry. As a result, some
participants from other cities could not join the discussion. Protesters
surrounded the building, demanding the Discussion be stopped. They
accused the activists of re-establishing the Indonesian Communist party
(PKI) and circulating Communistic ideology.
Between 16 and 17 September 2017, in the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, human rights groups organized a series of discussions about history and past human rights abuses. The discussion mainly focused on seeking the truth of the 1965-1966 massacres.
However, on the first day of the Discussion, there was a protest in front of the building. They called themselves an anti-Communism group. They demanded the human rights groups stop the Discussion. The mob surrounded the YLBHI’s building, intimidating some participants, mostly survivors and elderly people. Some participants were prohibited from entering the building. The mob accused the YLBHI and the Jakarta Legal Aid to have facilitated the discussion on Communistic ideology. The mob also accused the organizers of re-establishing the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).
On the first day of the Discussion, Police Officers, who were to protect the participants, unfortunately urged the committee to stop the Discussion. They entered the building, forcibly took down their banner and interrogated some participants. The Police argued that to organize such a Discussion, in pursuant of Law No 9 of 1998 concerning freedom of opinion in the public arena, organizers have to obtain a permit from the police. Because the Discussion was held in the YLBHI’s offices with very limited participants, the committee organizers explained that for an indoor discussion, there was no need to obtain a Police permit.
The Police insisted the discussion be stopped and demanded a permit. They argued that they had to stop the discussion because of massive public pressure from the protesters and also pressure from the military retirements. Finally, on the first day, due to strong pressure from the Police and massive protests in front of the YLBHI’s building, the organizers agreed to stop the Discussion.
However, on September 17, the mob held massive protests and again surrounded the YLBHI building. Protesters blocked Diponegoro Road. They yelled and provoked people around, including motorcycle and taxi drivers, to join the protest. They screamed that members of the Indonesian Communist Party were hiding inside the building. Subsequently, many motorcycle and taxi drivers and community members around the YLBH’s building took part in the protest. They forcibly entered the building, tried to pull down the fence, threw stones at the building and broke windows. Approximately 1,000 protesters surrounded the YLBHI building.
The building was surrounded overnight. At 3.30 am, the Police forcibly dispersed the protesters using tear gas and water cannon. The mob fought back with stones and wooden laths. At 4.30 am the Police were able to clear the area. All participants who were still hiding in the building were evacuated to the National Commission on Human Rights. Twenty-two protesters who allegedly attacked and damaged the YLBH building were arrested and examined by the Police.
Therefore, I respectfully request you to ensure that the Government and the Police guarantee to protect the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and opinion. The Police should not tolerate any attack to intimidate or force dissolution against the right to freedom of expression, opinion and peaceful assembly. Attacks should be properly investigated by the Police and efforts made to dismantle the intellectual actors behind the attack.
Between 16 and 17 September 2017, in the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, human rights groups organized a series of discussions about history and past human rights abuses. The discussion mainly focused on seeking the truth of the 1965-1966 massacres.
However, on the first day of the Discussion, there was a protest in front of the building. They called themselves an anti-Communism group. They demanded the human rights groups stop the Discussion. The mob surrounded the YLBHI’s building, intimidating some participants, mostly survivors and elderly people. Some participants were prohibited from entering the building. The mob accused the YLBHI and the Jakarta Legal Aid to have facilitated the discussion on Communistic ideology. The mob also accused the organizers of re-establishing the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).
On the first day of the Discussion, Police Officers, who were to protect the participants, unfortunately urged the committee to stop the Discussion. They entered the building, forcibly took down their banner and interrogated some participants. The Police argued that to organize such a Discussion, in pursuant of Law No 9 of 1998 concerning freedom of opinion in the public arena, organizers have to obtain a permit from the police. Because the Discussion was held in the YLBHI’s offices with very limited participants, the committee organizers explained that for an indoor discussion, there was no need to obtain a Police permit.
The Police insisted the discussion be stopped and demanded a permit. They argued that they had to stop the discussion because of massive public pressure from the protesters and also pressure from the military retirements. Finally, on the first day, due to strong pressure from the Police and massive protests in front of the YLBHI’s building, the organizers agreed to stop the Discussion.
However, on September 17, the mob held massive protests and again surrounded the YLBHI building. Protesters blocked Diponegoro Road. They yelled and provoked people around, including motorcycle and taxi drivers, to join the protest. They screamed that members of the Indonesian Communist Party were hiding inside the building. Subsequently, many motorcycle and taxi drivers and community members around the YLBH’s building took part in the protest. They forcibly entered the building, tried to pull down the fence, threw stones at the building and broke windows. Approximately 1,000 protesters surrounded the YLBHI building.
The building was surrounded overnight. At 3.30 am, the Police forcibly dispersed the protesters using tear gas and water cannon. The mob fought back with stones and wooden laths. At 4.30 am the Police were able to clear the area. All participants who were still hiding in the building were evacuated to the National Commission on Human Rights. Twenty-two protesters who allegedly attacked and damaged the YLBH building were arrested and examined by the Police.
Therefore, I respectfully request you to ensure that the Government and the Police guarantee to protect the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and opinion. The Police should not tolerate any attack to intimidate or force dissolution against the right to freedom of expression, opinion and peaceful assembly. Attacks should be properly investigated by the Police and efforts made to dismantle the intellectual actors behind the attack.
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