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Indonesia Rights Bodies Find Widespread Abuses in 2025 Protests
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 21, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 21, 2026
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Six Indonesian state rights bodies found widespread human rights abuses during August–September 2025 anti‑government protests—including torture, sexual abuse of minors, arbitrary arrests, and coercive interrogation methods—prompting calls for investigations and reforms.
Indonesia Rights Groups Reveal Widespread Abuses in 2025 Protests
By Ananda Teresia
Findings from Rights Groups on 2025 Indonesia Protests
JAKARTA, April 21 (Reuters) - An investigation by Indonesian state-run rights bodies found widespread violations by security forces including sexual abuse of some minors during last year's deadly anti-government protests.
Thousands of people angry at state spending policies took part last August in nationwide demonstrations that turned violent after the killing of a motorcycle taxi driver by police.
Detentions and Mistreatment
More than 5,000 were detained, the six rights groups said in a report released this week, many facing mistreatment from beatings and electric shocks to the slathering of faces with chilli paste to create a burning sensation.
Eleven people died during riots that saw some officials' homes and government buildings ransacked in Indonesia's worst violence for two decades.
Human Rights Violations
"There are indications of widespread and massive human rights violations," Saurlin Siagian, an official at one of the investigating bodies, the National Human Rights Commission, told reporters on Monday of the four-month investigation.
The president's office and national police did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
At the time of the protests, President Prabowo Subianto called the riots an act of treason.
Abuse of Minors
Sexual Abuse Allegations
Some acts of violence were also perpetrated against protesters under the age of 18, the report found, including alleged sexual abuse against minor female protesters by law enforcers, said Sylvana Maria from the child protection agency.
She did not give numbers or details.
Patterns of Abuse
The investigation found a recurring pattern of arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, torture, inhumane treatment, and intimidation of citizens and journalists, said Siti Uswatun Hasanah from Indonesia's Ombudsman's office, noting the use of chilli paste on faces.
Methods of Mistreatment
As well as beatings and electric shocks, there was intimidation with firearms during interrogation, the report showed.
Calls for Accountability
The rights bodies urged Prabowo to evaluate the police's handling of protests and asked the police to conduct a proper investigation into the report's findings.
Official Response and Consequences
No senior official has faced punitive action. One low-level officer was dismissed from service for running over and killing a motorcyclist, and another demoted.
(Reporting by Ananda Teresia; editing by Gibran Peshimam and Andrew Cawthorne)
Key Takeaways
- •Rights investigation uncovered systematic abuses: beatings, electric shocks, chilli‑paste torture, sexual abuse of female minors, intimidation with firearms (report April 2026)
- •Over 5,000 detained during the August 2025 protests (Human Rights Watch/Humanitarian groups reported 3,000–4,200 arrests, thousands of victims of violence)
- •Civic bodies urge President Prabowo and police to evaluate protest response and pursue accountability amid no senior officials facing punishment
Frequently Asked Questions about Indonesia rights bodies find widespread abuses in 2025 protests
1What abuses were uncovered during the Indonesia 2025 protests?
The investigation revealed widespread violations including beatings, electric shocks, arbitrary arrests, and sexual abuse of some minors by security forces.
2How many people were detained during the protests?
More than 5,000 people were detained during the 2025 nationwide demonstrations.
3Were minors affected by the abuses during the protests?
Yes, the report found that some minors, including female protesters, were subjected to sexual abuse and other violent acts by law enforcers.
4Were any senior officials punished for the abuses?
No senior official faced punitive action; only a few low-level officers were dismissed or demoted in connection with the incidents.
5What actions are rights bodies urging following the investigation?
The rights groups urged President Prabowo and police to evaluate their handling of protests and to conduct a proper investigation into the findings.
