Amnesty International Indonesia Highlights The Use Of Water Gas In The Tragedy Of The Kanjuruhan Stadium

JAKARTA - Amnesty International Indonesia was accused of using tear gas by the police in disbanding a chaotic mob after the match between Arema Malang (Arema) FC and Persebaya Surabaya at the Kanjuruhan Stadium last Saturday night. The reason is, the use of tear gas claimed hundreds of lives.

Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid said the right to live hundreds of people just flew after the ball match. He considered that the incident was a terrible and heartbreaking humanitarian tragedy. Women and men, teenagers and minors, were really victims of this tragedy.

"We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the injured victims who are currently being treated, we hope for an immediate recovery in conditions," he said in an official statement, Sunday, October 2.

Usman highlighted the excessive use of force by state security forces to overcome or control the chaotic crowd after the Arema Malang (Arema) FC match against Persebaya Surabaya on Saturday night. He said this action could not be justified at all.

Furthermore, Usman said an incident like this had happened in Peru, 58 years ago. Therefore, Usman regretted that the same incident would actually happen again in the country.

"This tragedy reminds us of a similar football tragedy in Peru in 1964 where at that time more than 300 people died from tear gas shots directed by the police to the crowd, then made hundreds of spectators jostled and experienced lack of oxygen," he said.

According to Usman, incidents in Peru and Malang should not have happened if the security forces found out about the rules for using tear gas.

"It is heartbreaking that 58 years later, such incidents were repeated in Indonesia. Events in Peru and in Malang should not have happened if the security forces understood the rules for using tear gas," said Usman.

Usman said it is undeniable that the security forces often face complex situations in carrying out their duties. But, said Usama, they must also ensure full respect for the right to life and the safety of everyone, including people suspected of rioting.

According to Usman, the state's accountability was actually tested in this case. Therefore, his party urged the state to thoroughly, transparently and independently investigate the alleged use of excessive force carried out by the security forces and evaluate security procedures at events involving thousands of people.

"This must be investigated thoroughly. If necessary, immediately form the Joint Fact Finding Team," he said.