HuMa Association, September 4, 2025 – Since the end of August, waves of protests have led to repressive actions by the authorities and a clearer direction of the country that increasingly prioritizes a militaristic approach. The authorities forcibly arrested several activists, including Delpedro and Mujaffar from Lokataru Foundation, Syahdan from Gejayan Memanggil, and Khariq from Riau University. These names have since been designated as suspects for allegedly inciting anarchist demonstrations. According to LBH-YLBHI reports, at least more than 3,000 participants of the protests have been detained, and over 1,000 people have been injured due to police violence.

Looking back a few days, there have been 10 fatalities in various cities. Affan Kurniawan was crushed by a tactical police vehicle in Jakarta; Sarinawati, Muhammad Akbar Basri, and Syaiful died in an incident of burning the Regional People’s Representative Council office in Makassar. These consecutive events prove that it is no longer acceptable to claim that these consecutive violent acts happen “unintentionally.” Protests on social media simultaneously question whether the taxes they pay are used properly or are instead funding the police institutions that oppress and kill the people.

Rather than calming the situation with responsive dialogue, the state chooses to restrict access to information, labeling protest movements as treasonous and terrorist, even accusing foreign intervention. Repressive actions by the authorities seem to be incentivized through discussions of promotions.

Cases of looting and vandalism in several unreachable locations raise suspicions, as the people’s anger is framed to legitimize harsher repression. On the other hand, tear gas is even fired into campuses that should be safe spaces. Mainstream media also plays a role in limiting information under the guise of avoiding “provocative” content, contributing to the narrowing of the space for voices to be heard. The protests in recent days show that the people continue to be victims, but they continue to sacrifice to resist, even though they are always sacrificed by those in power.

The HuMa Association of Indonesia certainly shares the same call as the protesters, which is to reform the bureaucracy, demand pro-people policies, and reform the police and military institutions.

However, the most urgent demand at this moment is the release of all arbitrarily detained protesters. Forced arrests and the criminalization of activists are not the way out of the crisis but rather deepen the collective wounds of the nation. The state must show its support for the people by immediately stopping the violence, releasing all detainees, and opening up a healthy democratic space.

Contact Person: Halim (089612424198)