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Police most reported to Komnas HAM over human rights violations
Komnas HAM report outlined that the police had been consistently involved in human rights abuse cases related to strategic national projects and businesses, including high-profile cases such as the development of the Rempang Eco City on Rempang island, Riau Islands province, and a petrochemical and refinery factory in Air Bangis village, West Sumatra.
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Police officers patrol the road in Kedung Cowek subdistrict, Surabaya, East Java, on May 31, 2024, following a clash between fans of soccer clubs Persib Bandung and Madura United that broke out after the match between the two clubs in Gelora Bangkalan Stadium, Bangkalan, East Java. (Antara/Didik Suhartono)
T
he National Police was the most reported institution to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) by the public last year with 771 alleged violations of human rights, followed by business entities with a total of 412 cases.
Although the number of complaints about the law enforcement institution declined from the 861 cases recorded in 2022, the National Police have been at the top of the list for the past five years according to the Komnas HAM’s annual reports.
The most recent report released on Monday outlined that the police had been consistently involved in human rights abuse cases related to strategic national projects and businesses, including high-profile cases such as the development of the Rempang Eco City on Rempang island, Riau Islands province, and a petrochemical and refinery factory in Air Bangis village, West Sumatra.
Komnas HAM found an “excessive use of power” in dealing with the local communities who objected to the projects recognized as potential threats to the local environment and the existence and culture of indigenous people, among other concerns.
In Air Bangis, for instance, the resisting community reportedly experienced intimidation and persecution by law enforcement officers. At least 17 individuals comprising local figures, advocates and journalists were arrested by the police.
“Komnas HAM recommends that relevant authorities avoid violent measures [in handling local communities] and instead offer special protection to vulnerable groups such as children, women, people with disabilities and Indigenous Peoples,” the report writes, adding that “the police [should] resort to restorative justice”.
