Regrets The Arrest, Komnas HAM Urges 159 Masses Of Action In The DPR To Be Released

Mass action at the MPR/DPR Building rejected the revision of the Pilkada Bill, Thursday 22 August 2024 (VOI)

JAKARTA - The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) regrets the arrest of 159 participants in a demonstration at the DPR RI Building, Thursday, August 22, who were arrested and detained at Polda Metro Jaya.

The number of 159 action participants arrested was reported by the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) as of 20.00 WIB last night.

"Komnas HAM regrets the arrest of 159 protesters and is being held at Polda Metro Jaya. Komnas HAM encourages law enforcement officials to immediately release all participants of the demonstration who were arrested and detained in today's demonstration," said Komnas HAM Commissioner Uli Parulian Sihombing in his statement, Friday, August 23.

Representatives of the Komnas HAM Commissioner went directly to monitor the holding of demonstrations at the DPR RI building and the Constitutional Court. From his monitoring, Uli emphasized that the action was conducive before there was repressive efforts from the authorities.

"The action, which took place from 09.00 a.m. - 17.00 p.m. local time, has been conducive. However, since 17.00 p.m., the security forces began to spread tear gars and used violent methods in dispersing demonstrations, after the masses managed to knock down one of the gates of the DPR RI," explained Uli.

In fact, Uli emphasized that the demonstration at the DPR building yesterday was everyone's right to express opinions and expressions in public. The demonstration was conducive.

"Komnas HAM regrets the way the law enforcement officers disbanded the demonstration on August 22, 2024 using tear gas, beatings, several action participants, the involvement of the TNI which indicated excessive use of force, which should prioritize a humanist approach," he explained.

The Legislation Body (Baleg) of the DPR RI initially agreed to bring the draft Revision of Law (RUU) Number 10 of 2016 concerning Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) to the Plenary Meeting.

The change in the Pilkada Bill annulled the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) which changed the threshold for nomination requirements in the Pilkada. And the age limit for regional head candidates must be 30 years.

The plan is for a plenary meeting to be held on Thursday, August 22 morning. However, the meeting was canceled because the presence of DPR members did not reach the quorum and would be rescheduled.

As a result of this ratification plan, many people from various circles held demonstrations in front of the DPR RI building, ranging from students, laborers, comics, to celebrities. They oppose the DPR's decision to revise the Pilkada Law because it is considered to obey the constitution.

Until finally, the DPR RI decided to cancel the revision of the Pilkada Law to be ratified. Thus, the implementation of the nomination of regional heads will still follow the Constitutional Court's decision.