Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia responded Wednesday to the UN human rights office OHCHR's concerns about the nationwide protests, saying that the country will ensure transparency in its probe into authority misconduct.
The OHCHR recently called for "prompt, thorough, and transparent investigations" into all human rights violations, including with respect to the use of force in Indonesia's most violent protests in decades.
The rallies – which initially targeted lavish lawmakers' allowances – had heated up following the death of ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan. The 21-year-old was delivering a customer's order in the middle of a protest in Jakarta when he was run over by a police tactical vehicle.
At least 10 people have died in the chaos within 8 days since the protests kicked off on August 25, some of whom were students.
In a statement meant to cool down OHCHR's worries, Indonesia said that it would commit to transparency in the investigation of its cops.
"The government ensures that any alleged violation by authorities is handled through a transparent and accountable legal mechanism," the Foreign Ministry told the rights office.
President Prabowo Subianto had promised that officer found guilty would be processed in accordance with the law. At Prabowo's behest, the Indonesian police would launch a "swift and open internal probe that the public could keep an eye on", the ministry said.
In the earlier part of the document, Jakarta wrote that its "law enforcement officers carry out their duties based on human rights principles and standards" when responding to the situation on the ground.
"The measures taken are aimed at maintaining public order, protecting civilians, and securing public facilities in a proportionate manner," the ministry said.
The government has established a dedicated complaint mechanism and even set up a special team to monitor the condition, according to the statement. Southeast Asia's biggest economy also vowed to pursue an "open and constructive" dialogue.
The police internal affairs team had named 7 mobile brigade officers as the suspects in regards to Affan's death. All seven were in the police tactical vehicle that had fatally hit Affan. They are now in a 20-day special detention for violating the police code of ethics. The police's oversight body Kompolnas said that the 7 officers could face dishonorable discharge and criminal charges.