Protest

30
Apr 2021
9:11 UTC

Asia Tactical: Demonstrations commemorating International Workers’ Day to be held in multiple countries on May 1; maintain vigilance

Please be advised:

  • Multiple labor unions, groups, and activists will hold demonstrations to commemorate International Workers’ Day across several countries in Asia on May 1. 
  • In India, 10 central trade unions will unanimously observe the forthcoming May Day by staging a protest against the purported anti-people policies of the government at the demonstration sites set up by protesting farmers along the borders of Delhi. 
  • The Confederation of Indonesian Workers Union (KSPI), as well as other trade unions and student groups, are slated to hold demonstrations across Indonesia to demand the revocation of the contentious omnibus law on job creation. In Jakarta, the protests are expected to be centered at the State Palace and the Constitutional Court; the timing of the events was unconfirmed as of writing.
  • Per April 29 reports, two individuals were arrested in Almaty as police authorities reportedly extended summons to activists across Kazakhstan‘s various cities ahead of May Day rallies announced by opposition groups. The exact details of the protests were not known at the time of writing. 
  • In the Philippines, a demonstration is scheduled at Bonifacio Square in Metro Manila on May 1. According to the US embassy in Manila, the event is likely to last throughout the day.  

Assessments:

  1. Apart from the protests mentioned above, workers’ groups are liable to hold rallies to commemorate the occasion across other cities in the region. Based on precedent, the demonstrations may witness high turnouts in countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, however, ongoing COVID-19 restrictions prohibiting large gatherings in some cities could limit participation compared to previous years.
  2. The protests also carry a potential for unrest. Authorities are liable to bolster security measures in the aforementioned locations to prevent such gatherings, especially in India as the country experiences a devastating wave of COVID-19 infections. In this light, there is a heightened risk of clashes between protesters and security forces, who are liable to forcefully disperse demonstrations if they do not comply with COVID-19 measures. Travel disruptions to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic are anticipated in the vicinity of the demonstrations.

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in the aforementioned locations on May 1 are advised to maintain vigilance due to anticipated demonstrations and the potential for unrest while allotting for disruptions to travel.

AFFECTED AREA Asia
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible

Please be advised:

  • Multiple labor unions, groups, and activists will hold demonstrations to commemorate International Workers’ Day across several countries in Asia on May 1. 
  • In India, 10 central trade unions will unanimously observe the forthcoming May Day by staging a protest against the purported anti-people policies of the government at the demonstration sites set up by protesting farmers along the borders of Delhi. 
  • The Confederation of Indonesian Workers Union (KSPI), as well as other trade unions and student groups, are slated to hold demonstrations across Indonesia to demand the revocation of the contentious omnibus law on job creation. In Jakarta, the protests are expected to be centered at the State Palace and the Constitutional Court; the timing of the events was unconfirmed as of writing.
  • Per April 29 reports, two individuals were arrested in Almaty as police authorities reportedly extended summons to activists across Kazakhstan‘s various cities ahead of May Day rallies announced by opposition groups. The exact details of the protests were not known at the time of writing. 
  • In the Philippines, a demonstration is scheduled at Bonifacio Square in Metro Manila on May 1. According to the US embassy in Manila, the event is likely to last throughout the day.  

Assessments:

  1. Apart from the protests mentioned above, workers’ groups are liable to hold rallies to commemorate the occasion across other cities in the region. Based on precedent, the demonstrations may witness high turnouts in countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, however, ongoing COVID-19 restrictions prohibiting large gatherings in some cities could limit participation compared to previous years.
  2. The protests also carry a potential for unrest. Authorities are liable to bolster security measures in the aforementioned locations to prevent such gatherings, especially in India as the country experiences a devastating wave of COVID-19 infections. In this light, there is a heightened risk of clashes between protesters and security forces, who are liable to forcefully disperse demonstrations if they do not comply with COVID-19 measures. Travel disruptions to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic are anticipated in the vicinity of the demonstrations.

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in the aforementioned locations on May 1 are advised to maintain vigilance due to anticipated demonstrations and the potential for unrest while allotting for disruptions to travel.

AFFECTED AREA Asia
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible