Human Rights Watch has recently urged Indonesia to revoke its newly instituted policies aimed at curbing street crime, arguing that these tactics could lead to the excessive use of force by security forces. The measures, as detailed by Human Rights Watch, involve a shoot-on-sight directive and the collaboration of military troops alongside police officers to address rising crime rates in Jakarta, especially incidents involving motorcycle-based robberies.
The underlying concern stems from the orders given to security forces to shoot suspected robbers on sight, which contravenes international human rights standards. Meenakshi Ganguly, the deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the need for legislative reforms to ensure effective oversight and accountability in the use of force. In support of these concerns, reports indicate that the crackdown has already resulted in hundreds of arrests and left 50 individuals injured, underlining fears that the deployment might escalate repressive practices.
The principles that should guide law enforcement, as established by the United Nations, dictate that non-violent means must be prioritized, and lethal force remains a last resort, permissible only for self-defense against imminent threats. Human Rights Watch asserts that the Indonesian government is obliged to balance security with adherence to the rule of law and due process.
Contrastively, the Indonesian military justifies the involvement of its troops as part of a legitimate operation to combat street crime, which includes joint patrols and community education initiatives. This perspective reflects the broader context of Indonesia’s struggle with law enforcement’s use of force. Last year, the deaths of protestors during demonstrations against economic disparities highlighted recurring issues of excessive force within the nation.
In response to these challenges, Indonesia’s House of Representatives proposed amendments to national laws governing the police. Yet, critics argue that these reforms fall short, failing to tackle underlying issues such as systemic corruption and impunity. More recently, a reform commission proposed demilitarizing the national police’s work culture. Indonesia’s Human Rights Minister further suggested integrating civilians in nonoperational roles to strengthen accountability and enhance the police force’s efficiency.