JAKARTA: The number of suspected drug dealers killed by Indonesian police has more than tripled so far this year from the whole of 2016, activists said on Wednesday, raising concerns the country may be headed toward a bloody Philippines-style war on narcotics.
At least 60 suspected dealers have died so far this year, up from last year’s 18, Amnesty International said.
“While Indonesian authorities have a duty to respond to increasing rates of drug use in the country, shooting people on sight is never a solution,” said Usman Hamid, Director of Amnesty International Indonesia.
The rights group added that all the deaths involved police allegedly acting in self-defense or because the suspects resisted arrest, but that no independent investigations had been conducted.
A spokesman for the national narcotics agency said officers had to prioritize their own safety and those of others if there was resistance from drug dealers.
“If firearms are used, it’s because of the consideration of personal safety of the officers and others at the scene,” Sulistiandriatmoko said in a text message.
He declined to comment on the number of deaths.
Authorities estimate there are around 6.4 million drug users in the country of 250 million people, and the use of crystal methamphetamine has soared in recent years.
President Joko Widodo has called for a “merciless” crackdown on the narcotics trade, which he believes has reached full-blown emergency status.
“We have firmly declared a war against drug dealers who are ruining the future of our younger generation,” Widodo said on Wednesday in a state of the nation speech marking the 72nd anniversary of independence from Dutch colonialists.
Widodo has also told law enforcement officers to shoot drug traffickers if they resisted arrest.
The chief of anti-narcotics police, Budi Waseso, told Reuters last month that Indonesia would not replicate the bloody war on drugs in the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte, though he praised its aims.
More than 8,000 people have died in the Philippines’ war on drugs since Duterte took office last year, a third in raids and sting operations by police who say they acted in self-defense.
Duterte has refused to back down despite overwhelming international criticism.
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Deaths rise among Indonesian drug dealers amid fears of Philippines-style campaign
Deaths rise among Indonesian drug dealers amid fears of Philippines-style campaign
Brazil, India eye critical minerals deal as leaders meet
- The two leaders are expected to sign a memorandum on critical minerals and discuss efforts to increase trade links
NEW DELHI: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are set to meet in New Delhi on Saturday, seeking to boost cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths.
Brazil has the world’s second-largest reserves of these elements, which are used in everything from electric vehicles, solar panels and smartphones to jet engines and guided missiles.
India, seeking to cut its dependence on top exporter China, has been expanding domestic production and recycling while scouting for new suppliers.
Lula, heading a delegation of more than a dozen ministers as well as business leaders, arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a global summit.
Officials have said that in talks with Modi on Saturday, the two leaders are expected to sign a memorandum on critical minerals and discuss efforts to increase trade links.
The world’s most populous nation is already the 10th largest market for Brazilian exports, with bilateral trade topping $15 billion in 2025.
The two countries have set a trade target of $20 billion to be achieved by 2030.
With China holding a near-monopoly on rare earths production, some countries are seeking alternative sources.
Rishabh Jain, an expert with the Delhi-based Council on Energy, Environment and Water think tank, said India’s growing cooperation with Brazil on critical minerals complements recent supply chain engagements with the United States, France and the European Union.
While these partnerships grant India access to advanced technologies, finance and high-end processing capabilities, “Global South alliances are critical for securing diversified, on-ground resource access and shaping emerging rules of global trade,” Jain said.
‘Challenges’
Modi and Lula are also expected to discuss global economic headwinds and strains on multilateral trade systems after both of their countries were hit by US tariffs in 2025, prompting the two leaders to call for stronger cooperation.
Washington has since pledged to roll back duties on Indian goods under a trade deal announced earlier this month.
“Lula and Modi will have the opportunity to exchange views on … the challenges to multilateralism and international trade,” said Brazilian diplomat Susan Kleebank, the secretary for Asia and the Pacific.
Brazil is India’s biggest partner in Latin America.
Key Brazilian exports to India include sugar, crude oil, vegetable oils, cotton and iron ore.
Demand for iron ore has been driven by rapid infrastructure expansion and industrial growth in India, which is on track to become the world’s fourth largest economy.
Brazilian firms are also expanding in the country, with Embraer and Adani Group announcing plans last month to build aircraft in India.
Lula addressed the AI Impact summit in Delhi on Thursday, calling for a multilateral and inclusive global governance framework for artificial intelligence.
He will travel on to South Korea for meetings with President Lee Jae Myung and to attend a business forum.
Brazil has the world’s second-largest reserves of these elements, which are used in everything from electric vehicles, solar panels and smartphones to jet engines and guided missiles.
India, seeking to cut its dependence on top exporter China, has been expanding domestic production and recycling while scouting for new suppliers.
Lula, heading a delegation of more than a dozen ministers as well as business leaders, arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a global summit.
Officials have said that in talks with Modi on Saturday, the two leaders are expected to sign a memorandum on critical minerals and discuss efforts to increase trade links.
The world’s most populous nation is already the 10th largest market for Brazilian exports, with bilateral trade topping $15 billion in 2025.
The two countries have set a trade target of $20 billion to be achieved by 2030.
With China holding a near-monopoly on rare earths production, some countries are seeking alternative sources.
Rishabh Jain, an expert with the Delhi-based Council on Energy, Environment and Water think tank, said India’s growing cooperation with Brazil on critical minerals complements recent supply chain engagements with the United States, France and the European Union.
While these partnerships grant India access to advanced technologies, finance and high-end processing capabilities, “Global South alliances are critical for securing diversified, on-ground resource access and shaping emerging rules of global trade,” Jain said.
‘Challenges’
Modi and Lula are also expected to discuss global economic headwinds and strains on multilateral trade systems after both of their countries were hit by US tariffs in 2025, prompting the two leaders to call for stronger cooperation.
Washington has since pledged to roll back duties on Indian goods under a trade deal announced earlier this month.
“Lula and Modi will have the opportunity to exchange views on … the challenges to multilateralism and international trade,” said Brazilian diplomat Susan Kleebank, the secretary for Asia and the Pacific.
Brazil is India’s biggest partner in Latin America.
Key Brazilian exports to India include sugar, crude oil, vegetable oils, cotton and iron ore.
Demand for iron ore has been driven by rapid infrastructure expansion and industrial growth in India, which is on track to become the world’s fourth largest economy.
Brazilian firms are also expanding in the country, with Embraer and Adani Group announcing plans last month to build aircraft in India.
Lula addressed the AI Impact summit in Delhi on Thursday, calling for a multilateral and inclusive global governance framework for artificial intelligence.
He will travel on to South Korea for meetings with President Lee Jae Myung and to attend a business forum.
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