Indonesian police used unlawful force against protesters, including beatings and the improper use of water cannon and tear gas grenades, during mass demonstrations that swept the country earlier this year, according to new investigation released today by Amnesty International.

Thirty-six videos authenticated by Amnesty International's Evidence Lab, along with interviews with five victims and witnesses, detailed the police's use of unlawful force during rallies between 25 August and 1 September 2025. This included firing water cannon at protesters at close range, beating people with batons and using a dangerous model of tear gas grenade known to cause serious injuries, including loss of limb.

"Video evidence, alongside victims and eyewitnesses' testimonies, reveal that Indonesian police ruthlessly and violently cracked down on a movement that began with peaceful marches against low wages, tax hikes and lawmakers' pay. The authorities' excessive and unlawful use of force lays bare a policing culture that treats dissent as a threat rather than a right," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International's Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.

According to information aggregated from various NGOs and legal aid organizations, at least 4,194 protesters were arrested between 25 August and 1 September, a figure confirmed to Amnesty International by local and national police. As of 27 September, the police had charged 959 of these individuals, while the rest were released without charge.

At least 12 of those charged are activists or human rights defenders who, according to the police, are "accused of inciting people to take part in violent protests". The police confirmed media reports that 295 of those charged were children at the time of arrest.

NGOs and legal aid groups also documented that at least 1,036 people were victims of violence during the protests, recorded in 69 separate incidents in 19 cities. While some protesters were involved in violent acts, the majority of these cases involved police use of unnecessary and excessive force.

Despite calls from civil society organizations, President Prabowo Subianto's government has failed to establish an independent team to investigate the violent crackdown on the protests.

Videos show police using unlawful force

Amnesty International's Evidence Lab verified 36 videos filmed during protests in Jakarta, Bandung, Surakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta and Bengkulu between 25 August and 1 September. The videos show improper use of tear gas and water cannon and unlawful use of batons and sticks, alongside other forms of beatings.

In at least two cases, Amnesty International found that police fired GLI-F4-style tear gas grenades, which are extremely dangerous because they may contain an explosive compound that disperses chemical irritants. These grenades can cause serious physical injury through the blast or debris and have been banned in many countries. Amnesty International has repeatedly called for their prohibition in law enforcement due to the excessive harm they may cause.

In one incident, on 25 August, a video showed police firing tear gas grenades behind protesters in Slipi sub-district, Jakarta. This violates international human rights standards, including the UN Human Rights Guidance on Less-lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement, as it forces protesters to move towards law enforcement officials, increasing the risk of a confrontation with security forces. Another video shows police releasing tear gas grenades from a bridge towards protesters in Surabaya city on 29 August, East Java. One video also shows a tear gas was fired towards confined space in the Karet train station in Jakarta on August 28.

In other videos verified by Amnesty International, police used unnecessary and excessive force to detain protesters who were already immobilized, striking them with batons, sticks or other weapons. One video from a protest in Jakarta on 28 August showed several armoured police beating someone who was lying on the ground. Footage from Surakarta on 29 August showed a similar incident.

Police also aimed water cannon directly at protesters, at times at high-pressure and from a short distance, as shown by a video of a protest near the parliamentary compound in Jakarta on 28 August.

"Indonesia's police have shown an inability to use less lethal weapons responsibly and lawfully. Firing tear gas in enclosed areas or directly at people is not just reckless, it's unlawful and potentially lethal," Erika Guevara-Rosas said.

"President Prabowo's government cannot claim to uphold human rights while ignoring widespread police abuse. An independent investigation is not optional, it's the only credible path to accountability."

'Swollen eyes and vomiting blood'

Amnesty International interviewed five victims and witnesses of police use of unlawful force in Yogyakarta, Bandung, Makassar and Surabaya.

A medical volunteer in the city of Yogyakarta told Amnesty International he was hit by a tear gas cannister while helping an injured protester, when police shot tear gas directly at his medical post. Meanwhile, a student protester said that the police fired tear gas directly (horizontally) at protesters without warning on 29 August

An activist in Makassar told Amnesty International he provided legal assistance to a bystander who said police had beaten him with a baseball bat after being arrested. The same activist provided legal aid to 10 university students who he said were arbitrarily arrested while protesting in late August.

The activist said the students "had swollen eyes, were limping and were vomiting blood" when he visited them at the South Sulawesi police station. They told him they were not given access to a lawyer, or had their families notified, until five days after the arrests.

"These numerous examples of state-sponsored violence show the police's flagrant disregard for the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, as well as the right to life, and the right to liberty and security of person during these protests," Erika Guevara-Rosas said.

"The Indonesian authorities must carry out prompt, independent, impartial and effective investigations into human rights violations committed by the police. When Indonesians speak out against injustice, the government should listen to them -- not silence them with batons and tear gas."

For further information contact: press@amnesty.org