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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Indonesian Lawmaker: Shoot Robbers to Incapacitate, Not Kill, Upholding Human Rights

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • An Indonesian lawmaker stated that the instruction for police to shoot robbers on sight should aim to incapacitate, not kill.
  • Andreas Hugo Pareira emphasized that such actions must follow firearm protocols and respect human rights.
  • This discussion follows proposals from Lampung Regional Police and a DPR member, which were opposed by the Human Rights Minister.

A member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) has clarified that directives for law enforcement to use lethal force against robbers should focus on incapacitation rather than causing death. Andreas Hugo Pareira, Deputy Chairman of Commission XIII, stressed that any order to shoot criminals on sight must adhere strictly to established protocols for firearm use, which mandate actions aimed at disabling suspects, not ending their lives.

The instruction is not to kill. Shooting on sight means shooting at a body part that is meant to incapacitate.

· Andreas Hugo PareiraExplaining the intended meaning behind directives for police to use force against robbers.

"The instruction is not to kill. Shooting on sight means shooting at a body part that is meant to incapacitate," Pareira explained via WhatsApp on Saturday, May 23, 2026. He argued that decisive and measured action by security forces is necessary to address criminal acts that threaten victims' lives, such as robbery. Pareira believes that a hesitant approach by authorities emboldens criminals and ultimately harms the public.

Police are obligated to protect the human rights of the community, and also obligated to fulfill the procedures for taking this action.

· Andreas Hugo PareiraEmphasizing the dual responsibility of law enforcement to protect citizens and follow protocol.

However, Pareira reiterated that the use of firearms must remain within the bounds of standard operating procedures and human rights principles. "Police are obligated to protect the human rights of the community, and also obligated to fulfill the procedures for taking this action," he stated. This clarification comes amid recent proposals, including one from the Lampung Regional Police and Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the DPR, Ahmad Sahroni, to shoot robbers on sight to protect the public. These proposals have faced opposition, notably from Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai, who contends that such actions violate human rights and that criminals should be apprehended to gather further information about criminal networks.

In the principle of international law, people who commit violence and acts of violence, including terrorists, must be arrested.

· Natalius PigaiStating his opposition to shooting criminals on sight, referencing international legal principles.
About this summary

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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