On August 22, 2024, student-led protesters and police clashed outside the House of Representatives (DPR) building during a protest against amendments to recent election law. Police used tear gas, water cannons, and batons to disperse protesters. At least 300 demonstrators were arrested.
In what became known as the #EmergencyWarning (#PeringatanDarurat) protests—a reference to the “emergency” of rising authoritarianism in Indonesian government—thousands of mostly peaceful protesters gathered outside the DPR building in Jakarta to protest the legislative house’s amendments to a court ruling over an election law that would increase electoral competition and reduce the age requirement for regional candidates.
Several protesters attempted to storm the DPR building by tearing down the police barricades and left and back-wings of the gates in front of the building. This led to a clash between protesters and police that lasted throughout the evening. Demonstrators burned tires and threw stones at police while police used tear gas, water cannons, and batons to disperse and beat protesters. Police arrested at least 300 protesters, many at random. Most were released based on insufficient evidence to bring charges against them. On August 25, 2024, officials formally charged 19 participants with rioting in front of the DPR building and 18 participants with disobedience and violence against officers.
The clash on August 22 was one of many instances of the use of police force during the #EmergencyWarning protests, which lasted from August 22-29.
Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force and arbitrary detentions during a student-led protest. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence and also respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom.
Sources:
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/we-cannot-remain-silent-students-at-vanguard-of-indonesian-protests-amid-worries-over-democracy
https://en.tempo.co/read/1907232/jakarta-election-law-protest-police-arrest-protesters-as-dpr-gates-fall
https://www.amnesty.id/kabar-terbaru/siaran-pers/indonesia-unlawful-use-of-force-during-emergencywarning-protests-a-blatant-disregard-of-the-right-to-protest/08/2024/
https://jakartaglobe.id/news/301-arrested-during-jakarta-protest-lawmakers-demand-release
https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/08/29/indonesian-police-crack-down-anti-corruption-protests
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2024/8/22/protests-across-indonesia-as-parliament-delays-change-to-election-law
https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/behind-mass-student-led-protests-have-rocked-indonesia
https://www.tempo.co/hukum/polisi-pakai-4-pasal-untuk-jerat-pendemo-kawal-putusan-mk-di-dpr-15960
https://en.tempo.co/read/1907613/students-hold-another-election-law-protest-at-dpr-today