Kobar Makassar Urges Protesters Seized By Police To Be Released Immediately

MAKASSAR - The People's Legal Aid Coalition (Kobar) Makassar City, South Sulawesi has urged the police to release protesters who were detained by the police during a demonstration on Monday, April 11.

"We are of the opinion that it is not clear that there are allegations of criminal acts committed by the arrested participants. They only voice their opinions by demonstrating, so that the arrest of the protest participants is a violation of human rights," said spokesman for Kobar Makassar Muhammad Heidir to reporters quoted by Antara, Tuesday, April 12. .

In addition, the implementation of a urine test without suspicion of a criminal act accompanied by evidence of narcotics, said the Director of LBH Makassar, there are allegations of attempts to criminalize and legitimize arrests and detention without any basis, as was the pattern carried out in previous demonstrations.

In fact, the information collected recorded 32 people who were arrested, the news is not yet known. Two of them are students and three are women. Likewise, there are allegations of obstructions to access to legal aid by the authorities.

This is a violation of Human Rights (HAM) and is contrary to the 1945 Constitution, Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, Law Number 18 of 2003 concerning Advocates, Law Number 16 of 2011 concerning Legal Aid, Law Number 12 of 2005 concerning Ratification Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHP).

"We urge the South Sulawesi Police Chief and his staff to open access to legal aid for them, because they were arrested for no apparent reason. We also ask that all participants in the action detained at the South Sulawesi Police Mobile Brigade Unit office be released immediately," he asserted.

Confirmed separately, Head of Public Relations Section of Makassar Polrestabes AKP Lando KS said his party had arrested 64 people, nine of whom were positively indicated for taking drugs, and three carrying sharp weapons, bows and arrows.

"Others have been sent home because there is not enough evidence of committing a crime. But before being sent home, the Chief of Police advised them to focus on studying, not to waste the hopes of their parents, and don't go along with it," he said.

However, Lando said that the submission of aspirations is guaranteed by the constitution and the law, but still in accordance with applicable provisions, and does not harm the public interest.

All participants who were arrested, said Lando, made a statement not to repeat their actions, and were obliged to report them. Apart from that, the officers also cross-checked their secured lecture places to ensure that they were students.

"We always try to humanize humans so that they are always better, it is hoped that the police who are detained can change and become national leaders in the future," he added.