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Govt urged police to investigate alleged exploitation, assault of circus performers
Eight former workers of the Oriental Circus Indonesia (OCI) recently visited the Human Rights Ministry and the House of Representatives, demanding justice for the abuse they claim to have endured while employed as child performers in the circus during the 1970s.
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Hear me roar: A girl growls like a tiger as she waits for the opening of The Great 50 Show by the Oriental Circus Indonesia. JP/Dhoni Setiawan (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
T
he Human Rights Minister has urged The National Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) to reopen an investigation into the alleged assault and exploitation of Oriental Circus Indonesia (OCI) performers.
According to the ministry's Director General for Human Rights Services and Compliance Munafrizal Manan, the OCI was suspected of committing four distinct human rights violations against its performers.
“These include violations of their rights to identity, freedom from economic exploitation, access to education and the right to safety and social security,” he said on Wednesday, as reported by Kompas.com.
"The circus management is also suspected of physically abusing and sexually assaulting its performers, and allegedly engaging in practices that can be categorized as modern slavery," he added.
Eight former workers of the Oriental Circus Indonesia (OCI) recently visited the Human Rights Ministry and the House of Representatives, demanding justice for the abuse they claim to have endured while employed as child performers in the circus during the 1970s.
Founded in 1971 by Hadi Manansang, the OCI was one of the country’s first and most popular modern circus groups. It remained active until 1997, with a final commemorative performance held in 2020 to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Hadi has since passed away. Hadi's children, Jansen Manansang, Frans Manansang and Tony Sumampau, who also performed in the circus, went on to establish Taman Safari Indonesia in 1981.
