Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition held a protest action on Tuesday September 30 to commemorate one month since the death of Affan Kurniawan, who was run over by a Metro Jaya Regional Police (Polda) paramilitary Mobile Brigade (Brimob) tactical vehicle
The commemoration of Kurniawan's death was marked by the lighting of candles at the location where he was run over in the Pejompongan area of Central Jakarta.
Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Coordinator Dimas Arya Bagus Saputra said the commemoration was held out as a reminder that the government is still ignoring and not seriously upholding the law and human rights.
"All of us here are in the ranks of those who refuse to forget that the government is still ignoring the upholding of human rights, human rights protection and genuine law enforcement", Saputra said in a speech.
The symbolic action was also held to remind people of the brutal actions of the authorities that continue to occur and are repeated.
Saputra stated that the government has yet to demonstrate any change or commitment to the people. He noted that many state policies are still being implemented solely to benefit elite groups.
"There have been no fundamental changes in the state's behaviour. Moreover the tendency is then to push for a state that is fascist, authoritarian", he said.
"So we have gathered here to remember that we carry the banner of democratic values and to continue to be a strengthening element", he added.
In addition to lighting candles, the protesters also held posters containing several demands. One of them was asking the authorities to end the violence against and the abduction of civilians.
Affan Kurniawan was an online motorcycle taxi driver (ojol) who was killed after being run over by a Brimob tactical vehicle during a demonstration near the parliament building in Jakarta on August 28.
Kurniawan himself was not participating in the demonstration at the time. Instead, he was working as an online motorcycle taxi driver. (tfq/els)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Koalisi Sipil Gelar Peringatan Satu Bulan Kematian Affan, Menolak Lupa".]
