IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid argues the arrests made against members of the Save Indonesia Coalition (KAMI) as a real threat against the freedom of expression. He suspects that it was done to spread fear among people who are critical against the passing of the omnibus job creation law.
“The arrests were done to spread fear among those who criticize the job creation law,” wrote Usman Hamid in Tuesday’s press release.
Not only is it considered to be a way to suppress the voices of opposition, he argues that these arrests have made President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo violate his promises regarding the protection of human rights.
“The state must stop any form of intimidation against critical voices and assure that the basic human rights are respected for anyone, even oppositions,” said the Amnesty Indonesia executive.
He then urged police to release the three KAMI members – Syahganda Nainggolan, Jumhur Hidayat and Anton Permana – who were arrested for exercising their freedom of speech. Reports that have emerged states that they were arrested due to allegations of enticing people with hoaxes to reject the omnibus job creation law.
Read also: Amnesty Says Omnibus Job Creation Law May Trigger Human Right Crisis
FIKRI ARIGI
