Kontras Records 387 Arrested and One Dead in 27 August Demonstration

The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) and the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) have reported that at least 387 people were victims of arrest and police violence during a series of demonstrations on 27 August 2026. Of that number, one elderly man named Bambang Setiyawan (59) was reported to have died.

Kontras Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya detailed that of the total victims, 322 people were arrested during the action and 65 people were arrested before the action began. In addition, 22 people were recorded as having suffered injuries as a result of repressive actions in the field.

“Based on monitoring, there were as many as 387 people who became victims. Based on data from the Ditreskrimum Polda Metro Jaya, of the 322 people arrested during the action, 162 people were aged 18-40 years and 160 others were still children, with the youngest being 12 years old,” said Dimas at a press conference on Monday (31/8/2026).

Dimas revealed that the majority of injured victims suffered bruises, stab wounds, cuts, burns, broken bones, and even burns. The burns are strongly suspected to have been caused by tear gas canisters fired by officers when dispersing the crowd.

Regarding legal status, the police have named 48 people as suspects. In detail, 45 people are accused of damaging public facilities and assault, while 3 others are charged with possession of sharp weapons.

Kontras also highlighted the finding of 11 people who had been reported missing by their families for more than 24 hours. After being traced, all of them were found to be at Polda Metro Jaya. Currently, 6 people have been released, while 5 others are still in detention.

Dimas assessed that this non-transparent detention indicates an alleged short-term enforced disappearance. This is considered to violate Article 17 paragraph (1) of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED).

“Detention carried out in a closed manner, without adequate information regarding the whereabouts and condition of the detained person, has serious consequences for the fulfilment and protection of human rights,” he concluded.