THIS FACTSHEET PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN INDONESIA, THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THEIR USE, INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, AND KEY INFORMATION TO NOTE WHEN DOCUMENTING WEAPONS OR EQUIPMENT.
In Indonesia, police and prison officers use a range of specially designed weapons and equipment. Some, such as electric shock batons and weighted leg cuffs have no legitimate law enforcement use and should never be used by law enforcement officials. Other equipment such as handcuffs, leg cuffs and batons have a legitimate use but there should be appropriate, human rights based, policies and procedures governing any use.
Detention monitors and other human rights observers should collect information on all types of weapons and equipment carried by police and prison officers (including improvised weapons such as wooden sticks), as well as how the equipment is used. This type of documentation will help highlight any systemic misuse of equipment, gather evidence to lobby for increased controls on use of equipment or provide additional evidence of abuse for case studies and reports.
This factsheet provides an overview of the law enforcement weapons and equipment used in Indonesia, the issues surrounding their use, international standards, and key information to note when documenting weapons or equipment.
