A coalition of activists from various civil groups has declared that Indonesia is in a state of emergency due to police brutality due to impunity for police officers, which allows sustained and escalating police violence.

“The lack of transparency and severe punishment for the perpetrators, their superiors, as well as other high-ranking officials are the main reasons for the recurrence of police violence,” the group said in a recent statement.

The statement was issued to mark International Human Rights Day which falls every December 10, the anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The group said police violence is a systemic issue, a product of security force leadership and culture, which often sees violence as the default response to perceived public threats, including during protests.

Activists are calling for a thorough evaluation of the police from the perspective of protecting human rights, and calling on the police to be open to stronger oversight from outside bodies and civil society groups.

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Among other solutions offered by the activists was the resignation of national police chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and other high-ranking officers within the force.