Natioanl Police issue guidelines on gatherings

Natioanl Police issue guidelines on gatherings

JAKARTA (JP): Police will no longer take reckless action to
break-up meetings unless they find evidence of intent to disrupt
public order.

National Police Spokesman Brig. Gen. IK Ratta told reporters
here yesterday that police would first question the organizers
before taking any action.

Following the recent issuance of a government ruling
abolishing permit requirements for seminars and political
meetings, Ratta said, "police won't so be hasty in breaking up
gatherings without permits or those which might lead to
disturbances."

According to the spokesman, organizers of meetings without
permits could get a two-week jail sentence.

The National Police have already issued a technical guideline
for their personnel in order to anticipate the implication of the
new ruling, which has been in effect since Jan. 1.

The new ruling states that the public can hold any social,
cultural or political gathering or meeting as long as they inform
the local police seven days prior to the planned event.

The police are required to inform the organizers about whether
their application for a permit is accepted at least three days
prior to the date of the event.

Three days

"If the police fail to inform the organizers three days before
the date of the event, it means that the organizers can go ahead
with their plans," Ratta said.

The government has come under intense criticism for its policy
requiring meetings involving more than five people to have
permits. At least five permit requests were turned down and more
than 26 events broken up due to lack of police permits last year.

Directives for street demonstrations and protests will be
regulated under separate legislation which is currently being
drafted, officials said.

The new ruling classifies three types of meetings; meetings
which require permits, meetings which require only notification
and meetings which require no notification and no permit.

Events requiring police permission include festivals, bazaars,
fairs and carnivals held in public places.

Organizers of political meetings with more than 10
participants to be held outside the premises of the political
organization sponsoring the event must inform the local police.

Other gatherings, including birthday parties, wedding parties
local and traditional ceremonies need no permits, nor are
required to inform the police. (bsr)