Minister: Kanjuruhan Tragedy Not A Massive Human Rights Violation

Liputan6.com, Surabaya - The Kanjuruhan Tragedy which resulted in 134 dead is not categorized as a massive human rights violation. Coordinating Minister for Politics, Laws, and Security, Mahfud MD, suggested it's just a standard human rights violation.

The tragedy occured in October 2022 during the match between Arema Malang vs. Persebaya in Malang, East Java Province.

One of the worst football-related disasters in history, and the deadliest in Asia, Kanjuruhan tragedy is inciting a massive criticism against the police and the use of tear gas. Most of the victims lost their lives because of asphyxiation.

"Perhaps it is a standard human rights violation, now the investigation is ongoing," said Mahfud MD in Surabaya on Tuesday (27/12).

But then Mahfud said the commission for human rights already concluded it's not a massive human rights violation.

"Based on the investigation by the National Commission for Human Rights, the case of Kanjuruhan riot was not a massive human rights violation," he continued.

Police have named six suspects, one from the security team, one from the match organizer, and three from the police. 

The former director of the Liga 1 (League 1), Akhmad Hadian Lukita, has been released from jail because the time limit for arrest has expired. However, Akhmad is still a suspect. 

"The person is still in suspect status although free from jail. He also must perform a compulsory report every week," said Achmad Taufiqurrahman, Police Grand Commissioner Adjutant in East Java Regional Police.

Update: Revising the ministrial post of Mahfud MD. Previously, the article misstated him as the coordinating minister for laws and human rights.

Dian Kurniawan contributed to this report.