JAKARTA (AFP) – A community in eastern Indonesia has placed 1,000 pink adenium flowers outside the local parliament, police station and courtroom, not to say thanks, but to send a message: leave our kids alone.

In recent weeks, Indonesians outraged by reports of children arrested for petty crimes – some of whom were later beaten by police – have been mocking law enforcers with flowers, coins and even used footwear.

Police are locking up children for minor misdemeanours while rampant official corruption and theft of millions in public funds is often punished with just a slap on the wrist, protesters and rights advocates say. Read more