Stampede triggered by tear gas leaves at least 125 dead after Indonesia soccer match

10-10-2022

Cherise Faye Pramudia 

Journalist and Videographer

Global Human Rights Defence

‘Tear gas is illegal in warfare – but why is it still legal for domestic use?’ stated by exiled Indonesia rights advocate Veronica Koman of Amnesty International. With 131 people dead and more than 300 injured, the football match that took place in Kanjuruhan, Malang, has been declared as the Worst Stadium Disasters in History.

The incident occurred after home team Arema FC was defeated 3-2 by rival team Persebaya Surabaya. The pitch was invaded by the losing team and the tear gas fired by the police triggered a fan crush that led to this devastating incident. The crush occurred when fans were crowding the exit gate to avoid the tear gas. 

The use of tear gas should only be allowed to disperse crowds when widespread violence has occurred and when other methods have failed. People must also be warned that tear gas will be used and allowed to disperse. This incident had received much attention from human rights advocates urging for an investigation on the police force. 

‘This loss of life cannot go unanswered. The police themselves have stated that the deaths occurred after police use of tear gas on the crowd resulted in a stampede at the stadium exit.’ stated by Usman Hamid, Executive Director, Amnesty International Indonesia.

According to Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Indonesia, as a state party, is obliged to comply with the rules on the use of force. The UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials (1979) and the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials (1990) state that the use of tear gas in this context is subject to strict human rights safeguards since the tear gas was dispersed with the absence of widespread violence. 

‘I have specially requested the police chief to investigate and get to the bottom of this case,’ Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in a televised speech. He also added that ‘Sportsmanship, humanity and brotherhood should be upheld in Indonesia.’

Many parties, including FIFA, had also extended their condolences to the families of the victims calling the incident ‘a dark day for all involved in football and a tragedy beyond comprehension.’

Sources and further reading:

Indonesia: Investigate police tear gas use after at least 130 people die in football match stampede. (2022, October 2). Amnesty International. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/10/indonesia-football-stampede-deaths/ 

Indonesia: Fans “died in the arms” of players in stadium crush. (2022, October 3). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63114568