The World Federation of Trade Unions, the militant voice of 105 million workers from 133 countries of the 5 continents, strongly condemns the unacceptable and provocative attack of Indonesian Police against protesters and the arrest of the General Secretary and other members of the KASBI labor union.
This unprovoked attack took place yesterday May 3rd, 2021 in the capital of Indonesia, during a demonstration on National Education Day in front of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia. The demonstration was peacefully attended by students and workers who commemorated Indonesia’s Education Day, expressed their fair demands, and condemned the failed education policies during the pandemic. While a group of representatives was having negotiations with members of the Ministry of Education and Culture inside the ministry, the police decided to forcefully dissolve the demonstration that was outside, using water cannon.
We express our internationalist solidarity and support to the fair demands of the protesters and to their inalienable right to protest and demonstrate freely and openly their positions and demands. Human and trade union rights should be respected and uninterruptedly exercised. The right of demonstration is protected by the Law and Article 9 of 1998 in Indonesia and by several other national and international laws and conventions.
The international class-oriented trade union movement demands the immediate and unconditional release of the arrested protesters, the returning of all seized properties, and the withdrawal of the charges if any. We do not accept any violation of the trade union and democratic rights of the Indonesian people.
The Secretariat
