Violating Human Rights, IPW Urges Polda Metro Jaya To Release 12 Greenpeace Activists

Chairman of the Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) Sugeng Teguh Santoso at the Polda Metro Jaya Building, Jakarta, Wednesday (9/8/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) urged the Metro Jaya Regional Police (Polda) to immediately release 12 Indonesian Greenpeace activists who were arrested in a protest at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout on Friday 6 October. The head of IPW Sugeng Teguh Santoso, stated that this arrest violated human rights.

"IPW urges the Metro Jaya Police Chief to release the arrested activists and stop criminalizing those who express their opinions in public," Sugeng said in his statement, Sunday, October 8.

Sugeng Teguh Santoso emphasized that the right to express opinions in public is human rights guaranteed by national and international law in force in Indonesia. This refers to Article 28 i paragraph (4) of the 1945 Constitution which emphasizes the responsibility of the state, especially the government, in protecting, advancing, upholding, and fulfilling human rights.

In addition, Law Number 9 of 1998 concerning Independence Expressing Opinions in Public Regulation stipulates that citizens have the right to express opinions in public freely and obtain legal protection and security guarantees.

"Therefore, the arrest of a number of Indonesian Greenpeace activists who held actions and expressed opinions in public by the Menteng Metro Sector Police (Polsektro), Central Jakarta Metro Police, Metro Jaya Police is clearly a violation of human rights," said Sugeng,

He also reminded that criminalization of the right to express opinions could undermine the country's efforts to promote democracy and human rights at the international level. Sugeng stated that the National Police, as part of reform, should play an important role in maintaining the principles of democracy and human rights.

The National Police is expected to avoid repressive actions and criminalization of residents who express opinions in public. In addition, he also emphasized the importance of the principle of prudence in handling cases of public opinion delivery by using actions that are appeal, persuasive, and educational.

"Don't let the police become a frightening scourge for the life of democracy in Indonesia," concluded Sugeng.

Previously, the arrests of 12 Indonesian Greenpeace activists occurred after they held a demonstration entitled "Tolak Oligarchy" at the HI Roundabout pool, Friday (6/10/2023). Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief Kombes Komarudin said this demonstration violated the law because it did not have permission from the police.

Nevertheless, he emphasized that freedom of expression is still respected, as long as it follows the applicable rules. He emphasized that freedom of expression cannot be interpreted as free as free.