The report acknowledges the changes the government of Indonesia has introducedto regulate police conduct and increase accountability in police codes andpractices, but these changes have failed to stamp out cases of physical abuseand intimidation.Amnesty International has spoken to scores of abuse victims, police officials,lawyers and human rights groups, among others, in Indonesia over the last twoyears. The organization found that drug users, repeat offenders and women,including sex workers, were particularly vulnerable to abuse. Many of thoseinterviewed said police officers attempted to extract bribes from them inreturn for better treatment or a reduction in sentencing.Dita, a 21-year-old sex worker, was arrested in December 2006.Dita toldAmnesty International how she was threatened with sexual abuse and facedintimidation at the time of her arrest:I was arrested with five or six other prostitutes.On the way to Polres[District Police station] East Jakarta, they were grabbing me and touching mesaying, "You're so young, why aren't you in school," you know that kind ofstuff.When we got to the station, they gave us a choice.They said we couldget off if we paid one million rupiah [96 USD] or if we had sex with them. Three of the girls agreed to have sex with them.I point blank refused to doeither.Our pimps have paid them enough already.The report also outlines how internal disciplinary mechanisms set up by thepolice are unable to deal effectively with complaints about police abuse.Victims usually do not know where to report abuses and are vulnerable tofurther abuse if they make a complaint directly to the police. The report alsoillustrates how current external police oversight bodies do not have theadequate power to bring to justice those responsible for abuse.
"At a time when the Indonesian government and senior police figures have madethe commitment to enhance trust between the police and the community, themessage is not being translated into practical steps on the ground. Too manyvictims are left without access to real justice and reparations, thus fuellinga climate of mistrust towards the police," said Guest.Amnesty International's report calls on the Indonesian government toacknowledge publicly that police abuse is widespread and initiate prompt,impartial and effective investigations into every credible report. Those foundresponsible must be brought to justice and victims granted reparations.Furthermore, they should establish an independent mechanism to receive anddeal with complaints from the public. Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activistorganization with more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteersin more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. Theorganization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes thepublic, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth anddignity are denied.
To receive full report, Unfinished Business: Police Accountability inIndonesia, please email more information, please visit to EditorsThe report contains detailed testimony from scores of people who suffered atthe hands of the police including:Sofyan, an 18-year-old arrested for murder in January 2007, told AmnestyInternational: At 2 a.m., we got to Polres [District Police Station] I was taken to the headof the unit for interrogation. There, ten men beat me for an hour with theirbatons."Where is your friend?" they asked My three front teeth had crackedand I was bleeding I was exhausted .. Every time I said something, I washit. I was handcuffed, standing, to the trellis above, and couldn't sleep fora whole night. For the first four days, I was hit over and over again ...Once, the buser [Police support staff for the Criminal Investigation Division]asked me, "How is it here?" and I said, "I'm scared of being beaten."Hesaid, "You should be killed, not just hit..."Denni, a 28-year-old heroin addict, was arrested in Central Jakarta inDecember 2005 as he made a purchase from his dealer in the marketplace Policetied him up and beat his shins with a block of wood. Denni told AmnestyInternational what happened at the time of arrest:"Confess!" they [police officers] said, "Confess!"But the buser [Policesupport staff for the Criminal Investigation Division], who seemed to have ahigher job position, said "Enough of this, just take him to the station."Iwas taken to the highway.But we didn't get into a police car.We went in acab.As the cab drove, they bargained with me."Hey can you get us 40million [3,858 USD] tonight?If you can get the 40, I'll let you go."Isaid, "I don't have any money, I don't have anything like that."He said,"Ok, you tell us a friend who is also a user, but pick someone with somemoney, someone who can provide us with some cash.