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Activists condemn violence at Monday’s student demonstration
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Police fires tear gas canisters at students during a rally against moves to extend the presidential mandate in Jakarta, West Java, on April 11, 2022. (AFP/Adek Berry)
H
uman rights watchdog Amnesty International Indonesia (AII) has slammed the violence that stemmed from Monday’s student demonstration, which saw thousands of university students protesting in Central Jakarta, West Java, and other cities against proposals to extend President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s final term in office.
AII executive director Usman Hamid said on Tuesday that, while it was the government’s responsibility to ensure that members of the public could exercise their rights to hold demonstrations, authorities also need to make sure that violent altercations be avoided.
“To gather and voice their opinions peacefully is [the public’s] right… It is the state’s responsibility, whether through government officials or police officers, to protect these rights, even when the demonstrations turn violent,” Usman said in a release. “However, acts of violence of any kind cannot be justified.”
Usman called on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take action against the perpetrators who incited violence during Monday’s demonstration, particularly those that befell the University of Indonesia (UI) lecturer Ade Armando.
On Monday, more than 1,000 university students gathered in front of the House of Representatives Complex in Central Jakarta to stage their rally.
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The students, who were gathered under the National Association of University Student Executive Bodies (BEM SI) banner, demanded that lawmakers refrain from amending the Constitution – which would be necessary if Jokowi’s term was to be extended – and to firmly reject any proposal to extend the President’s term.
