Source: Amnesty International –
Indonesian police used unlawful force against protesters, including beatings and the improper use of water cannon and tear gas grenades, during mass demonstrations that swept the country earlier this year, according to new investigation released today by Amnesty International.
Thirty-six videos authenticated by Amnesty International’s Evidence Lab, along with interviews with five victims and witnesses, detailed the police’s use of unlawful force during rallies between 25 August and 1 September 2025. This included firing water cannon at protesters at close range, beating people with batons and using a dangerous model of tear gas grenade known to cause serious injuries, including loss of limb.
“Video evidence, alongside victims and eyewitnesses’ testimonies, reveal that Indonesian police ruthlessly and violently cracked down on a movement that began with peaceful marches against low wages, tax hikes and lawmakers’ pay. The authorities’ excessive and unlawful use of force lays bare a policing culture that treats dissent as a threat rather than a right,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.
According to information aggregated from various NGOs and legal aid organizations, at least 4,194 protesters were arrested between 25 August and 1 September, a figure confirmed to Amnesty International by local and national police. As of 27 September, the police had charged 959 of these individuals, while the rest were released without charge.
At least 12 of those charged are activists or human rights defenders who, according to the police, are “accused of inciting people to take part in violent protests”. The police confirmed media reports that 295 of those charged were children at the time of arrest.
NGOs and legal aid groups also documented that at least 1,036 people were victims of violence during the protests, recorded in 69 separate incidents in 19 cities. While some protesters were involved in violent acts, the majority of these cases involved police use of unnecessary and excessive force.
Despite calls from civil society organizations, President Prabowo Subianto’s government has failed to establish an independent team to investigate the violent crackdown on the protests.