Wednesday, August 28th, 2024

We, the undersigned non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across the globe, express our deep concern and strong condemnation of the brutal and indiscriminate use of tear gas by security forces during protests against political dynasties in various cities across Indonesia.

We are particularly alarmed by reports suggesting that some of the tear gas used may be expired, which poses severe health risks to protesters and local residents. Additionally, concerns about potential corruption in the procurement of these tear gas canisters further exacerbate the situation, raising questions about the integrity and safety of the crowd control measures being employed.

Based on investigations through the Electronic Procurement Service (lpse.polri.go.id) of the National Police, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) found that the National Police made five purchases between December 2023 and February 2024. A total of US$12.1 million in taxpayer money was spent on tear gas, spread across two work units: the National Police's Mobile Brigade Corps and the National Police's Security Maintenance Agency.

There are three main issues regarding the National Police's purchase of tear gas to date:

1. The National Police's Defiance in Disclosing Procurement Information: Despite requests from civil society since August 2023, the National Police have refused to disclose the procurement contracts for tear gas. This suggests that the National Police may be hiding information. The lack of transparency, as mandated by the Central Information Commission Regulation No. 1 of 2021 on Public Information Service Standards (SLIP), should be seen as an early indication of problematic procurement, which could potentially lead to corruption.

Following the Police's refusal, civil society filed an information dispute with the Central Information Commission (KIP) in December 2023. However, KIP has yet to provide a resolution. civil society suspects that KIP is reluctant to process the dispute against the Police, not merely due to the busy agenda of resolving information disputes. According to SLIP regulations, the dispute process should not take long, as the information civil society requested is clearly public.

2. Lack of Accountability for Tear Gas Use: According to civil society findings, in one of the five procurement packages, the National Police provided information about the quantity of ammunition purchased, amounting to 38,216 projectiles. However, in the other four procurement packages, there was no detailed information on the number of rounds purchased by the Police. This lack of detail makes it difficult for the public to demand accountability, especially when the tear gas is used recklessly and brutally. Without accountability, the Police might be suspected of using expired tear gas, as seen in the Kanjuruhan tragedy.
3. Purchases Made During Non-Emergency Situations: The purchase of tear gas during non-emergency situations raises suspicions that the exorbitant spending is merely an attempt to silence civil society criticism during the 2024 political year. Elevated public criticism is a logical consequence of electoral competition marred by dubious tactics. This also indicates the shallow security strategy of the National Police, which resorts to injuring taxpayers with tear gas instead of addressing their concerns. As a result, the Police's tear gas purchases add to the growing list of wasteful or inappropriate use of state funds.

The right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental human right protected under international law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Indonesia is a party through Law No.12 of 2005. The excessive, improper, and potentially illegal use of tear gas not only violates these rights but also endangers lives and undermines public trust in the authorities.

We call on the Government of Indonesia to:

1. Immediately cease the use of tear gas in a manner that is disproportionate, indiscriminate, and potentially dangerous due to expiration or other safety concerns. Security forces must follow strict guidelines to ensure the protection of public health and safety.
2. Conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the use of tear gas in various cities across Indonesia, focusing on the condition and procurement of the tear gas canisters. The investigation should also address any potential corruption in the procurement process, with findings made public and those responsible held accountable.
3. Ensure the protection of peaceful protesters, safeguarding their right to express dissent against political dynasties without fear of violence, intimidation, or exposure to harmful chemical agents.
4. Implement stronger oversight and transparency in the procurement process for tear gas and other crowd control tools, to prevent corruption and ensure that all equipment used meets safety standards.
5. Uphold Accountability and develop a comprehensive review in the use of tear gas by law enforcement officers, particularly concerning its human rights and health impacts on affected civil society elements including students, children in the targeted area for tear gas launches, journalists, and many others.

We stand in solidarity with the people of Indonesia in their pursuit of justice, democracy, and human rights. The misuse of force and the potential corruption in the procurement of dangerous crowd control measures are unacceptable and must be addressed immediately.

We urge the Indonesian government to uphold its commitments to human rights and democratic values and to take swift action to prevent further violence and ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.

Signatories:

1. Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW)
2. PurpleCode Collective
3. Humanis 
4. CODAYati
5. The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS)
6. MUSAWI Pakistan
7. Advocacy Forum Nepal
8. Manushya Foundation 
9. Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network 
10. Human Rights Working Group (HRWG)
11. Women 4 Women
12. PERIN+1S & C2O library
13. Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
14. Migrant CARE 
15. Samudayik Sarathi Nepal
16. LaporIklim
17. LaporSehat
18. Transformasi untuk Keadilan Indonesia
19. The Prakarsa
20. Indonesia Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI)
21. 350.org Indonesia
22. Kolektif Semai
23. WeSpeakUp.org
24. New Naratif
25. Transparency International - Malaysia Chapter
26. Proklamasi Anak Indonesia
27. Milk Tea Alliance - Friends of Myanmar
28. Queers of Burma Alternative 
29. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
30. SRI Institute 
31. Yayasan Peduli Sindroma Down Indonesia (YAPESDI)
32. Cedaw Working Group Indonesia (CWGI)
33. Pusat Studi Hukum dan Kebijakan Indonesia (PSHK)
34. Jaringan Pemantau Independen Kehutanan (JPIK)
35. Forum Jogja Sehat Tanpa Tembakau (JSTT)
36. Forum Masyarakat Pemantau untuk Indonesia Inklusi Disabilitas (FORMASI Disabilitas).
37. Progressive Voice
38. Karen Women’s Organization
39. Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)
40. Human Rights Online Philippines (HROnlinePH)
41. Cross Cultural Foundation Thailand (CrCf)
42. Blood Money Campaign
43. Gueers of Burma Alternative
44. Perkumpulan Suaka Untuk Perlindungan Hak Pengungsi (SUAKA)
45. Forum LSM DIY 
46. Yayasan LKIS (Lembaga Kajian Islam dan Sosial) 
47. Koalisi Lintas Isu (KLI) Yogyakarta
48. Generation Wave
49. Jaringan Radio Komunitas Indonesia
50. Burmese Women’s Union
51. Rumah Produksi untuk Kebudayaan Indonesia
52. Beranda Migran
53. Koordinasi Purna Pekerja Migran Indonesia (KOPPMI) 
54. Persatuan BMI Tolak Overcharging (PILAR-Hong Kong) 
55. Gabriela Aotearoa New Zealand 
56. Anakbayan Aotearoa New Zealand 
57. GANAS COMMUNITY TAIWAN 
58. Transparency International Indonesia 
59. Philippines Australia Union Link, Sydney 
60. IMVU MACAU
61. Merdeka West Papua Support Network
62. International Indigenous Peoples Movement for 
63. Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL)
64. Kurawal Foundation 
65. Partido Manggagawa, Philippines
66. Marsinah.id
67. Think Path Indonesia Legal Office
68. Dewan Adat Papua
69. FIAN Indonesia
70. Equality Myanmar (EQMM)
71. Kyauktada Strike Committee (KSC) Myanmar
72. Puanifesto
73. Yayasan Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Indonesia (YLBHI)
74. Koalisi Rakyat untuk Keadilan Perikanan (KIARA)
75. Persaudaraan Perempuan Nelayan Indonesia (PPNI)
76. Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm)
77. Pamflet Generasi
78. People’s Empowerment Foundation
79. Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ)
80. Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN)
81. Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD)
82. Roots for Equity 
83. Alga Rural Women’s NGO
84. KORT INGO Pakistan
85. Forum Petani Plasma Buol
86. Empowering Singaporeans 
87. Black Farm Municipal
88. International NGO Forum on Indonesian development (INFID) 
89. Public Virtue Research Institute
90. Sikola Mombine Foundation ( SM-CentralSulawesi)
91. Indonesian Consumers Foundation ( YLKI)
92. Progressive Voice
93. Aliansi Melbourne Bergerak
94. TAPOL, United Kingdom
95. Transparency International – Taiwan Chapter
96. Koalisi Masyarakat Sipil Anti Kekerasan Seksual (KOMPAKS)
97. RRR Collective
98. Perkumpulan Lintas Feminis Jakarta (Jakarta Feminist)
99. Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet)
100. Resister
101. Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI) Jakarta
102. The Indonesian Forum for Environment (WALHI) - Friends of the Earth Indonesia
103. Lembaga Bantuan Hukum (LBH) Pers
104. Activate Rights, Bangladesh
105. Auriga Nusantara
106. Don’t Gas Indonesia
107. Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Masyarakat (Community Legal Aid Institute)
108. Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan 
109. Anotasi.org
110. 350.org Japan
111. Melihat Kota
112. 350.org Asia
113. Needle n’ Bitch
114. ALTSEAN-Burma
115. ASEAN SOGIE Caucus
116. Friends of the Earth Japan
117. Lokataru Foundation
118. Blok Politik Pelajar
119. Front Forward Muda
120. Partai Hijau Indonesia
121. Choose Democracy
122. Tifa Foundation
123. Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact
124. Bai Indigenous Women's Network
125. The Institute for Ecosoc Rights 
126. KERI: Caring for Activists
127. WITNESS
128. Centre for Innovation Policy and Governance (CIPG)
129. National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF), Nepal
130. 350.org US