He stressed the importance of this distinction, noting reports that both demonstrators and rioters are currently being held at police facilities.
“There must be a clear line between those categorized as protesters and those categorized as rioters,” Pigai said at a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He underlined that the legal treatment must also differ between rioters who break the law and demonstrators who only express their aspirations.
Pigai reaffirmed the government’s stance on handling demonstrations, which he said is firmly based on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), as previously stated by President Prabowo Subianto.
“When the President emphasized that handling demonstrations must be guided by the ICCPR, it means that all government policies, particularly in the executive branch, fall under the framework and technical guidelines derived from the ICCPR,” he explained.
He added that the ICCPR guarantees freedom of thought, opinion, and expression as fundamental human rights, as also underscored by the President.
“Every citizen has the right to voice opinions, express thoughts, and convey feelings,” Pigai said.
Earlier, the National Police reported the arrest of 3,195 people involved in violent demonstrations in several regions across Indonesia.
According to National Police Public Information Bureau Chief Brig. Gen. Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, 387 people have been released, 55 named as suspects, and 2,753 remain under investigation, based on preliminary data collected from regional police.
The crackdown followed the President’s directive ordering National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Indonesian Military Commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto to take firm action against anarchic acts in various areas.
A protest broke out on August 25 over public discontent with the House of Representatives’ conduct and excessive allowances.
The rally turned chaotic and led to nationwide unrest, during which unidentified groups damaged public facilities such as road dividers, stations, and bus stops, and looted shops and officials’ homes.
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has urged authorities across the country to adopt a restorative justice approach in handling protesters detained for opposing lawmakers’ excessive allowances.
Komnas HAM Chair Anis Hidayah said on Tuesday that the commission has also called on authorities to provide the detained protesters with access to legal assistance, stressing that legal aid is a fundamental human right.
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Related news: Komnas HAM calls for restorative justice for detained protesters
Translator: Agatha Olivia Victoria, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Primayanti
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