June 8, 2016

Demand for inquiry into police attacks on peaceful student demonstration

The World Student Christian Federation Asia Pacific (WSCF AP) condemns the police attack against a peaceful
public demonstration led by the GMKI (Student Christian Movement in Indonesia) Manado branch, Indonesia and
seek for a thorough investigation to uphold the right to freedom of expression and speech.
On 1 June 2016, GMKI Manado branch conducted a peaceful public protest at the local parliament house (DPRD) in Manado.
The protesters were mostly university students commemorating the birth of Pancasila, the five principles of Indonesias
ideology, particularly the fifth one on - justice for all Indonesian citizens, which the students claimed the parliamentarians
have not upheld.
The GMKI, Manado branch reported that the demonstration was held to protest against the discrimination and unjust
implementation of laws for drug control which varies from person to person in the country. In a recent case, a member of
the parliament house who has been caught with possession of drugs and is allegedly a recreational drug user has garnered
a notorious reputation despite being a public figure, but there was no action taken by the authority. They said, often poor
young people are punished severely by the countrys laws in the name of drug control, while many rich, powerful and ironically
the law-makers go scot-free. The protesters advocate that all sections of society including political leaders, parliamentarians
and security forces are responsible for preventing and combating drugs. Therefore, the protesters wanted this public figure to
be immediately brought to justice. (According to drug prohibition laws in Indonesia: Possession is punishable by 2 to 7 years'
imprisonment, and a fine of IDR 400 million to 3 billion (US$44,800 to US$336,000), and If the volume of drugs exceeds 5 grams, 3 to 10
years' imprisonment may result.)

Unfortunately, the security apparatus prevented the group of students from GMKI Manado unit from voicing their concerns in
the local parliament house. The protesters demanded to invite the concerned authority for a genuine dialogue, but it went
unheard and the security forces started to verbally and physically attack the GMKI Manado chairperson, Mr. Hizkia Sembel
and violently attacked all student members of GMKI, as they trapped in the house which left many students bleeding and
severely injured. The police and security apparatus used tear gas to disperse the protesters. Seven members of GMKI
Manado were rushed to the hospital after they were severely injured by the security apparatus particularly the police and
Pamong Praja police unit (Satpol PP). One member Regino Jansens nose was broken and admitted for surgery, other
members carried harsh baton marks on their bodies, and some broke their heads. They didnt spare the women protesters,
and a woman member Hilda Jein Palandung was badly injured. It is outrageous that the police accuse the protesters and
force them to admit that they broke table and chairs in the house. On the contrary they broke the protesters heads, nose and
left them for bleeding.
The chairperson of GMKI, Manado branch Mr. Hizkia Sembel said, We are appalled and saddened by the brutality of the
police officers in suppressing our rights to freedom of speech. We believe such act is not a mere violation of the Indonesian

Constitution but also a violation of the internationally recognized human rights, the so-called 'freedom of opinion and
expression'. We demand the Indonesian Government and law enforcer to take all necessary action to investigate the
suppression and violation and we encourage the members of WSCF to join us in action and in prayer to put this to an end.
It is also ironic that the security apparatus which is supposed to grant security to the citizens brutally attacked the students in
response to the peaceful protest held by the GMKI members. Some of the members are traumatized by the violent attack on
them. This kind of brutality and repressive actions against students and young people of the country has violated the right to
freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by the state law.
We stand in solidarity with the peace and justice seeking students and young people of GMKI Manado branch and invite you
all to join in seeking justice against violence, corruption and the monopoly of the parliamentarians and governmental
authorities. We are thankful to the group of international young people brought by the WCC (World Council of Churches) for
an International Interfaith Programme in Jakarta, called YATRA ( Youth in Asia Training for Religious Amity) who were in the
country when the incident happened, and came to show their solidarity during a protest in Jakarta on 3rd June. Mr. Ayub
Manuel Pongrekun, Chairperson of the national GMKI said, We will pay serious attention to this case, and urge the perpetrator
to be brought to the court of justice. The AHRC (Asian Human Rights Commission) condemns the violation of human rights
and urges to appeal to the governmental authorities. Please click the link below to send an appeal:
http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-063-2016
WSCF AP joins the National Executives of GMKI and declares:
1. That we strongly condemn the brutality and repressive act of the security apparatus against the peaceful
demonstration of GMKI Manado in the local parliament house in Manado on June 1st 2016., which is a violation of
human rights to freedom of expression
2. That we urge the national police headquarter, the commission of national police and national commission of human
rights to take serious and legal action against the violence committed by security apparatus that caused severe
injury to seven members of GMKI, among many others .
3. That we urge the police personnel must not harass the members by counter charges on false evidence
4. That we support the stance of GMKI Manado local unit in its attempt to fight against drugs and corruption particularly
in Manado and in all over Indonesia in general.
5. That we urge all SCMs of WSCF to stand in solidarity and send an appeal to the concerned authorities prepared by
the AHRC to make a collective resistance against the brutality of security apparatus
6. That the WSCF family of GMKI pays serious attention to this matter until justice is secured.
7. That the concerned accused parliamentarian involved in drug dealing, be brought to justice.
Ut Omnes Unum Sint!
In Solidarity,
Sunita Suna
Immanuel Kitnan
WSCF Regional Executive for Asia-Pacific
Chairperson -WSCF Asia-Pacific
Sources of local media coverage of the case and the police attack on students.
http://nasional.news.viva.co.id/news/read/757611-polisi-lepas-anggota-dewan-konsumsi-sabu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-586vi9w71E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foWjmHiAbfA