The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has called on the government and law enforcement institutions to ensure the rights of detainees and expedite the investigation into the deaths, injuries, and acts of violence during the late August 2025 violent protests in Jakarta and other cities across the country.

The rights commission presented its preliminary findings regarding the human rights violations during the recent nationwide protests at end of August 2025 at a hearing with rights commission XIII of the House of Representatives on Monday, September 29, 2025.

“The findings are still under investigation, and the Commission is committed to ensuring justice for the victims. We continue to call on law enforcement and the government to ensure the legal rights of detainees and expedite the probe into these deaths, injuries, and acts of violence," Saurlin P. Siagian, Komnas HAM Commissioner for Monitoring & Investigation, told the House Commission members.

He revealed crucial details about the deaths, injuries, arrests, and alleged criminalization of protestors. As of the latest report, nine individuals have been confirmed dead, with 655 injured and 2,332 arrested. Furthermore, the Commission has recorded at least 15 cases of suspected criminalization related to the protests.

"The tragic events, especially the deaths of Affan Kurniawan, Andika Lufti Fallah, and others, have raised serious concerns. For example, Kurniawan died after being run over by a police tactical vehicle, and Lufti Fallah was likely hit by a blunt object, which we are still investigating," Siagian said, while citing that Komnas HAM has already conducted preliminary analyses, including reviewing CCTV footage and collaborating with law enforcement to clarify the causes of death.

The protest-related deaths were not limited to Jakarta. In Makassar, South Sulawesi, four people died due to various causes including violence and inhalation of toxic smoke, while in Surakarta, Central Java, one individual, Sumardi, a pedicab driver, was allegedly beaten to death by a group of protesters.

Siagian added that the rights commission is closely monitoring the injuries sustained during the protests. "There have been 655 reported injuries, with Jakarta, Bandung, and Yogyakarta being the most affected regions," he said.

The rights commission also raised concerns regarding the arrests, which took place in various regions including Jakarta, West Jawa, and Yogyakarta. The majority of those arrested were detained in Jakarta, with 1,689 individuals captured by the police.

"There are also reports of two missing persons, Farhan Hamid and Reno Syahudradewo, and we are currently seeking clarification from the police," Siagian said.

In addition to the physical harm inflicted on protesters, Komnas HAM identified a troubling pattern of suspected criminalization. Several individuals, including Delpredo Marhaen Rismansyah and Muzaffar Salim, are facing charges under the country's anti-incitement and cyber laws, particularly relating to the spread of false information and child protection laws.

Looking ahead, Komnas HAM calls for stronger oversight and the formation of an independent fact-finding team to probe the actions of the authorities during the protests.

"There is a need for political support to ensure transparency and accountability in the investigation process," Siagian concluded, urging the House to take a leading role in advocating for justice and human rights protections.

Failures in handling protests

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ombudsman found failures in public service delivery during protests in August-September 2025, particularly in the handling of injuries, detainees, and damage to public facilities. The Ombudsman calls for systemic reforms to improve the government's and law enforcement's response to protests.

According to Ombudsman’s data, 1,363 individuals were injured across 12 provinces, with Jakarta having the highest number of casualties, accounting for 716 people. Additionally, 4,667 protesters were detained, with over 1,000 still in custody.

Ombudsman found inconsistencies in the legal status of many detainees, suggesting potential violations of human rights.

Mokhammad Najih, Chairman of the Indonesian Ombudsman, emphasized that the findings indicated a series of missteps in the pre-protest phase, excessive use of force by security forces, and unclear legal statuses for detainees.

"These issues point to maladministration that must be addressed immediately to ensure fairness and justice for all parties involved," Najih said.

Ombudsman also reported substantial damage to public facilities, with losses estimated at Rp847.8 billion (US$56 million). This includes damage to government buildings, police vehicles, and other public infrastructure.

One of the most critical findings was the lack of national mechanism to ensure medical care and legal protection for protest victims. While the Jakarta provincial government has begun drafting a regulation for medical treatment of protest victims, Ombudsman urges the government to establish a consistent national policy in this regard.

In addition to the treatment of protesters, Ombudsman highlighted the intimidation of journalists. One journalist, identified by the initials HS, was reportedly forced by security forces to delete his journalistic recordings. While the journalist was eventually released, the incident raises concerns about press freedom and the rights of journalists to report without interference.

"Ombudsman will continue to monitor the situation and recommend further reforms to ensure that public services are delivered in a transparent, accountable, and fair manner. We urge the formation of an independent fact-finding team to investigate the actions of the authorities during the protests," Najih concluded.