Human Rights Minister Says Blocking Protesters from Bundaran HI Complies with Regulations
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has stated that security forces blocking protesters from reaching the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout in Jakarta was in accordance with regulations. Pigai emphasised that the obstruction did not limit the demonstrators’ rights.
"Oh yes, it’s regulation. It’s possible. The government can regulate. Main protocol roads cannot be used," Pigai told reporters at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday evening (17/6/2026).
Pigai said other locations had been provided for protesters to express their views. According to Pigai, the government has the authority to regulate without restricting the rights of demonstrators.
"Then, access is provided to express opinions in another place, that’s allowed. That’s what regulation is," he said.
Furthermore, Pigai confirmed that what the security forces did was not a restriction of the right to express opinions in public. According to him, the obstruction was merely the enforcement of rules.
"There is no (restriction of rights), that is called regulation. Hey, you don’t need to demonstrate at the HI Roundabout, but you can demonstrate at Lapangan Banteng, that’s allowed. That is a rule, it’s allowed. The Siracusa Principles allow it," he said.
For context, the Siracusa Principles are international guidelines on the limitation or derogation of human rights implementation as contained in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
As is known, a crowd from the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI) had intended to voice their aspirations at the HI Roundabout on Friday (12/6). However, the students’ efforts were halted by the police.
The crowd was stopped before the Tosari bus stop. A number of joint security personnel were seen guarding the access road to the HI Roundabout. The crowd arrived carrying posters of demands and action paraphernalia. They chanted slogans from the demonstration they intended to hold.