Imparsial about The Police Throwing Off Protesting Students : Not a New Thing

by MUHAMMAD FADLI RIZAL

15 October 2021 01:45 AM inLaw

LIMAPAGI – Imparsial Director Gufron Mabruri said that the action of Brigadier NP throwing off student protesters in front of the Tangerang Regent's office was nothing new. According to Gufron, the way the police handled demonstrations with brutal acts was not the first time this had happened.

"Previously, criticisms against brutal methods used by the police in handling protests also occurred in other cases, for example when handling large-scale student protests in 2019 and 2020," said Gufron in a written statement, Friday, October 15th, 2021.

Gufron said the repeated incidents showed that the problem was not only a matter of individual members but also a systemic problem, namely the culture of violence that was still strong within the police.

"If this issue is not immediately resolved by the ranks of the Indonesian National Police, then similar incidents will continue to repeat itself and will tarnish the good name of the National Police as well as reduce the level of public trust" said Gufron.

According to Gufron, in the mainstreaming of human rights in the police, a number of internal regulations related to human rights have been established by the police. Such as The Rule of The Police Chief No. 8 of 2009 concerning the Implementation of Human Rights in Police Duties, and rule No.1 of 2009 concerning the Use of Force in Police Actions.

"However, the various brutalities carried out by the police in handling demonstrations show that these internal regulations are not sufficient to ensure that police actions are in line with human rights principles and standards and break the chain of police brutality against citizens," said Gufron.

Previously, Brigadier NP was one of the police officers who secured the demonstration in front of the Tangerang Regent's office, Wednesday, October 13th, 2021. However, the action turned into a riot. That's when he threw off Faris, one of the students who protested.

After the video of Brigadier NP slamming Faris on social media, Brigadier NP then apologized and said he was ready to take responsibility.

"I apologize to Mas Faris for my actions and I am ready to take responsibility for my actions. I once again apologize to him and his family, 'Sir, I apologize for what I did (to Faris' father). And I am ready to take responsibility,” said Brigadier NP.