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KPAI finds grave violations against children in Koja clash
The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has concluded that serious violations against children’s human rights occurred in the bloody clash between Jakarta public order officers (Satpol PP) and residents of Koja, North Jakarta, last month
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he Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has concluded that serious violations against children’s human rights occurred in the bloody clash between Jakarta public order officers (Satpol PP) and residents of Koja, North Jakarta, last month.
Chairman of the Commission Hadi Supeno told a press conference Monday that his commission believed some parties had exploited children by keeping them at the scene.
"The children were at the forefront of the violence, leaving the adults at the back,” Hadi said.
He added that his office had identified a group of people who had obstructed the arrival of medical help from the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) to help the children,
Hadi, however, did not mention names, but said his office had discovered that some violations involved public order officers as the latter failed to protect the children.
"Also, the officers did not attempt to evacuate the children from the site. They allowed them to stay there," Hadi said.
“We have asked the police to find the perpetrators [of the incident],” he said.
So far, police have yet to name any suspects in connection to the incident. Based on data and facts from some witnesses, the office found that some adults had supplied weapons to the children during the violent attack.
Abdul Ghofur, the commission coordinator of its fact-finding team, said his team discovered that some adults had handed machetes and swords to children at the scene.
Hadi said those who involved children in the “social unrest” could be charged for violating Article 15.
He also said that Article 80 of the law stipulated that people who caused serious injuries to children were punishable to a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a Rp 100 million (US$11,019) fine.
He said that his commission had urged the police to continue investigating the incident.
"We also ask the Jakarta Governor to thoroughly evaluate its Public Order Agency. We would like to ensure the child victims will receive proper medical as well as psychological treatment,”Hadi said.
The commission started its investigation on April 19, or five days after the deadly clash that broke out at the historical shrine of Mbah Priuk, a revered ulema.
The PMI, which is also investigating the incident, announced Friday that three public order officers were killed in the clash, while 228 sustained injuries. Seventeen of those injured were teenagers and four were severely wounded.
“They [the teenage victims] are still traumatized by the violence,” Hadi said.
Sulis, the father of Bayu Listiyanto, one of the injured teenage victims, said his 14-year-old son lost consciousness for 18 days due to severe wounds sustained to his head and shoulder.
Bayu regained consciousness, but his father said the fight had changed him.
"My son gets angry very easily now. He used to be quick to help others. Now he is not,” Sulis said.
