Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday called on Indonesia to rescind its newly implemented policies to fight street crime, citing concerns that these measures would result in excessive use of force by security forces.
The controversial security measures included a shoot-on-sight campaign and the joint deployment of military troops with police to counter the rise in street crime in the capital Jakarta, particularly robberies committed by motorcycle assailants. According to HRW, security forces have received orders to shoot suspected robbers on sight, which violates international human rights standards. HRW's deputy Asia director, Meenakshi Ganguly, condemned these measures and stressed that lawmakers need to enact reforms that ensure proper oversight and accountablity for excessive use of force.
Authorities have taken these measures as part of a broader campaign to respond to the surge in street robberies and attacks against both local citizens and foreign tourists, following which residents have called for tighter patrols and increased security presence in crime-prone areas. However, HRW reported that, since the crackdown, security forces have arrested hundreds of individuals and injured 50 people, noting that repressive practices have intensified following the announcement of the shoot-on-sight policy.
HRW further stressed that any use of force by law enforcement bodies must comply with the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. These principles serve as a global standard for the conduct of security forces, providing a set of measures that law enforcement officials, including the militray, must follow, such as the use of non-violent means before resorting to force and restricting lethal force to self-defense against imminent threats such as death or serious injury. The organization stressed that the Indonesian government's responsibility to maintain order and security must not override the rule of law, due process, and the presumption of innocence.
However, the head of Indonesia's Army Information Service said that deploying the army to address robbery and street crime is part of a legitimate military operation, which includes joint patrols and public education on preventing street crime, between the police and military troops.
The excessive use of force by law enforcement officials remains a persistent issue in Indonesia. Last September, widespread protests erupted throughout the country over economic inequality that ultimately led to the death of eight protestors during a police crackdown. However, Indonesia has also experienced a surge in violent street crimes, which consequently prompted the deployment of military troops to back the police.
Additionally, the Indonesian House of Representatives previously drafted a bill to amend national laws governing the police, but it has been criticized for not addressing issues such as entrenched corruption and impunity.
Last month, a reform commission presented a proposal to demilitarize the work culture of the national police, as part of broader reforms aimed at driving systemic change within the institution. In a more recent development, Indonesia Human Rights Minister proposed allowing civilians to assume nonoperational roles within the national police in support of ongoing reforms intended to build an efficient police service that upholds accountability and human rights.
