The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called on the Indonesian government to launch a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation into alleged human rights violations during a wave of violent demonstrations in August 2025.
OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani expressed concern about the escalating violence in protests across multiple cities. She emphasised the importance of law enforcement officials, including the military, adhering strictly to the law and to the basic principles governing the use of force and firearms, in line with international standards.
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“We are closely monitoring the series of violence in the country in the context of national demonstrations. We emphasise the importance of dialogue to address public concerns. The authorities must uphold the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” Shamdasani said in a statement on Monday evening, 1 September 2025.
In a video statement to CNN Indonesia, Shamdasani reiterated the OHCHR’s position: “We call for a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation into all alleged violations of international human rights law, including those related to the use of force.” She added, “All security forces, including the military deployed in a law enforcement capacity, must comply with the basic principles of the use of force and firearms.”
Shamdasani also emphasised the importance of press freedom in ensuring accurate reporting of events. “The media must be given space to carry out their duties independently without intimidation,” she said. According to the OHCHR, press freedom is vital to guarantee that the public receives accurate information and that the accountability process remains transparent.
The protests began on 25 August 2025, triggered by public discontent with the House of Representatives following increases in allowances and salaries for members of parliament. What began as criticism of the legislature soon escalated into widespread anger towards the police after violent clashes broke out near the parliamentary complex in Jakarta. Demonstrations quickly spread to Bandung, Surabaya, Makassar and Medan, involving students, labourers, schoolchildren and online motorcycle taxi drivers. Protesters demanded transparency in government policies and condemned the use of repressive measures by the authorities.
Reports indicate that clashes between police and demonstrators resulted in fatalities. One case that drew particular attention was the death of online motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, who was run over by a Brimob tactical vehicle on 28 August. By early September, the confirmed death toll had reached eight: four in Makassar, two in Jakarta, one in Solo and one student in Yogyakarta.
Regional and Domestic Reactions
The demonstrations have drawn significant international attention. The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) condemned the violent incidents, particularly the death of Affan Kurniawan and the widespread use of tear gas.
“The APHR strongly condemns the brutal actions of the police that resulted in the death of an online motorcycle taxi driver, Affan Kurniawan,” the group said in a statement published on its website on Friday, 29 August. The statement argued that Affan’s death illustrated the “enormous humanitarian impact of the use of violence as an initial response to civil unrest.”
APHR also criticised the authorities for employing tactics that fostered fear rather than dialogue. According to its release, students and workers who gathered at the Metro Jaya Regional Police Headquarters and the National Police Headquarters were met with a heavy-handed response instead of open negotiation.
A total of 211 non-governmental organisations from various countries also issued a joint statement urging the Indonesian National Police to refrain from violence when dealing with demonstrators.
Domestically, the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) stressed that President Prabowo Subianto’s directives align with the UN’s position. PCO Head Hasan Nasbi stated on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, that the president had ordered investigations into any excessive use of force by the authorities.
“The President has indeed directed that any excessive actions, any actions that exceed authority, must be investigated,” Hasan said, as quoted by Kompas.com.
He further noted that this process was already underway: “Even without the letter [from the UN], they have already paid attention, so it is not because of the letter, even without the letter, the government has already paid attention.”
The National Human Rights Commission and members of the House of Representatives also expressed support for reviewing police actions during the protests.
