Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Regrets 153 Children Involved in Unrest After DPR Protest
Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Arifatul Choiri Fauzi, also known as Arifah Fauzi, has responded to the involvement of hundreds of children in the unrest following a demonstration around the DPR/MPR building on 27 August 2026. Arifah expressed regret over the involvement of children in the incident.
“The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection regrets the involvement of children in, or their presence within, the post-demonstration unrest around the DPR/MPR building. The safety and best interests of children must be a shared priority,” Arifah said when contacted on Monday (31/8/2026).
She stressed that children still have the right to have their opinions heard. However, she noted that children also have the right to be protected from involvement in social unrest or events involving violence, as stipulated in Article 15 of Law Number 35 of 2014 on Child Protection.
“Therefore, children must not be used as tools, targets, or part of adult conflicts. Spaces for child participation must be available, but must be conducted safely, in accordance with the child’s age and maturity level, and with the accompaniment of adults who understand children’s rights. This principle is also affirmed in Ministerial Regulation Number 3 of 2025 on the Implementation of Child Participation through Child Forums,” she explained.
Furthermore, she assessed that prevention efforts should not be the sole burden of parents.
“This is a shared responsibility of families, schools, communities, regional governments, security forces, event organisers, and the central government,” she added.
She considered that education regarding the risks of participating in actions at locations with potential for unrest needs to be strengthened, while also ensuring that children have safe and meaningful participation spaces to express their aspirations.
She also confirmed that the Ministry, in accordance with its mandate, will continue to strengthen policies, coordination, synchronisation, and special protection for children, including coordinating with ministries/institutions and regional governments so that every handling measure maintains a child rights perspective.
“Our message is simple: children’s voices must be heard, but children must not become victims of unsafe situations. We want children to be part of democracy, not victims of conflict,” she said.
Alleged Child Exploitation
A total of 153 children were detained in connection with the post-demonstration unrest at the DPR building on Thursday night (27/8). Investigators are currently looking into allegations of child exploitation in the incident.
“Investigators are currently conducting an in-depth examination of parties who used, utilised, or exploited children to carry out unlawful activities,” said Director of General Criminal Investigation of Polda Metro Jaya, Senior Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, on Friday (28/8).
Most recently, 141 of the detained children have been released. The detained children were aged between 12 and 18 years.
“This is because such actions could potentially violate norms as regulated in the Child Protection Law concerning the involvement and exploitation of children,” he stated.