Indonesian Ministry Requests Citizens in France and Italy to be Cautious Amid Protests Turned Violent

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Director of Indonesian Citizen Protection (PWNI) Heni Hamidah, has urged Indonesian citizens (WNI) in France and Italy to exercise caution.

This warning comes in light of protests that have escalated into riots in various areas of the two countries.

"The Indonesian embassies in Paris and Rome have advised all Indonesian nationals in their respective jurisdictions to remain vigilant and monitor the security situation, keep abreast of official information from local authorities, and avoid areas of protest and large crowds," she stated in a text message on Monday (19/10/2026).

Heni also advised Indonesian citizens to adjust their travel plans considering potential disruptions in public transportation and to follow the instructions of local security authorities.

As of now, Heni confirmed that there have been no reports of Indonesian citizens participating as protestors or being injured due to the riots that began on October 17, 2026.

"To date, the embassies in Paris and Rome have not received any reports regarding Indonesian nationals being involved or affected by the demonstrations," she remarked.

For the protection of Indonesian citizens, Heni noted that the embassies will continue to monitor the security situation following the demonstrations and maintain communication with the Indonesian community in both countries.

In case of an emergency, Indonesian citizens in France and Italy can contact:

• Indonesian Embassy in Paris at 33-6-2112-2109

• Indonesian Embassy in Rome at 39-338-954-2333.

Demonstrations in France

According to reports from The Telegraph, approximately 550,000 people took to the streets in demonstrations involving the yellow vest movement, labor unions, and student groups, with around 110,000 demonstrators gathered in Paris.

The wave of unrest began with student protests that had been ongoing for three weeks.

The movement initially emerged as a protest against a shortage of teachers and deteriorating conditions in secondary schools in the suburbs of Paris. Some schools were even set ablaze.

Calls on social media subsequently encouraged demonstrators in various regions to revive the "yellow vest" movement that emerged in 2018 as a protest against rising living costs.

The movement then expanded, involving labor unions representing nurses, teachers, farmers, taxi drivers, and environmental activists.

AFP reports indicated that at least 1,200 people were arrested during the protests, and 150 police officers were reported injured.

The unrest then spread to several regions in Italy.