Indonesia: More than 70 killed by police in crackdown ahead of Asian Games

Indonesian police have shot dead more than 70 people in an escalating crackdown on what they have called ‘petty criminals’ in the lead-up to the 2018 Asian Games, which open tomorrow in Jakarta, said Amnesty International Indonesia.

Between January and August this year, at least 77 people have been gunned down across the country, including 31 in greater Jakarta and South Sumatra. Many of these killings occurred during police operations explicitly devised to prepare the cities for hosting the multi-sport event, which takes place from 18 August to 2 September.

Usman Hamid, Amnesty International Indonesia’s Executive Director, said:

“In the months leading up to the Asian Games, the authorities promised to improve security for all. Instead, we have seen the police shooting and killing dozens of people across the country with almost zero accountability for the deaths.

“These shocking figures reveal a clear pattern of unnecessary and excessive use of force by the police, and a constant veil of impunity that taints public security institutions. The hosting of an international sporting event must not come at the price of abandoning human rights. The killings must stop and all deaths must be promptly and effectively investigated.”

Killed in ‘public safety’ operation

The killings peaked from 3 to 12 July, when 11 people in greater Jakarta and three people in South Sumatra were shot dead by the police as part of a ‘public safety’ operation to prepare the two cities for hosting the Games. In Jakarta, in addition to those killed, a further 41 people were shot in the legs, while more than 700 of 5,000 people arrested were charged with a criminal offence.

Shortly before the operation, known as ‘Cipta Kondisi’ (Public Safety Operation), high-ranking police officials publicly announced that their personnel would take “firm actions”, including shooting on-sight anyone who resisted arrest or attacked police officers. Despite criticism, the National Police chief reaffirmed the policy on 30 July, saying ,“if they fight the officers during the arrest then have no doubt, just shoot them”.

The police justified the killings in Jakarta amid growing public concern about increasing incidents of violent crimes being committed in the city. The overall number of people killed in Indonesia’s streets accused of having committed petty crimes this year represents a 64% increase on the same period for 2017.

Usman Hamid said:

“The police are clearly exercising a ‘shoot first and ask questions later’ policy. The National Commission on Human Rights and National Police Commission must promptly launch a thorough, impartial and independent investigation into the killings and bring everyone suspected of criminal responsibility before justice, including those in the chain of command.”

Amnesty is also calling on the Indonesian authorities, as well as national and international sports governing bodies, to take all appropriate measures to ensure that human rights violations do not take place as a consequence of hosting the Asian Games, and that staging this major sporting event does not contribute to exacerbating existing abuses.

Under international human rights law, Indonesia is legally obliged to respect and protect everyone’s right to life at all times, and has a duty to carry out prompt, thorough and effective investigations into suspected violations of the right to life.

International human rights law and standards provide that law enforcement officials may use force only when strictly necessary, proportionate and to the extent required to carry out a legitimate law enforcement objective. Intentional use of lethal force, including firearms, may only be used as the absolute last resort and when strictly unavoidable to protect life or serious injury.