Indonesia: Ongoing protest in Jakarta December 27

Event

Hundreds of protesters have gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta in the afternoon (local time) of Friday, December 27, to denounce China's mass detention of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang and calling on the Indonesian government to take diplomatic action on the matter.

While the demonstration is expected to remain peaceful, a heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are anticipated in the area over the coming hours.

Context

Similar rallies were held in Jakarta on December 18 and December 21 and took place peacefully. The Chinese government has come under increasing international pressure following media reports in recent weeks alleging that up to 3 million ethnic Uighurs have been interned at "reeducation camps" in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. The Muslim Turkish-speaking Uighur minority present in the region have long sought to establish a separate Uighur state, a move opposed by the Chinese government. Many Muslim Uighurs feel they are oppressed and discriminated against by the Chinese government, which has imposed strict controls over the observance of Muslim customs and practices, such as wearing head coverings, fasting during Ramadan, and growing beards.

Advice

Individuals in Jakarta are advised to monitor developments, avoid all protests and demonstrations, and expect transportation disruptions