Human rights activists play a crucial role in advocating for the protection of basic human rights, demanding accountability from governments and corporations that violate them, and challenging oppressive systems. However, their work is not without risks. Amnesty Indonesia has recently revealed that human rights activists in the country have been subjected to a range of attacks, including harassment, intimidation, and physical violence. These attacks not only pose a threat to the safety and well-being of these activists but also undermine the broader human rights movement in Indonesia. In this article, we will delve deeper into the current situation faced by human rights activists in Indonesia and what it means for the future of the country’s human rights landscape.
Amnesty International Indonesia released its 2022 annual report on Tuesday, which revealed the numerous attacks against human rights defenders in Indonesia throughout the year. The report highlighted that this is unfortunately a global trend. There were 150 human rights activists who fell victim to either physical or cyberattacks, according to Saufa Ata Taqiyya.
Saufa stated that activists from around the world are fighting against repression towards peaceful criticism, and civilians in Indonesia are also facing the same problem. The Electronic Information and Transaction (ITE Law) is said to be the main tool used to suppress people’s right to express themselves. According to the organization’s logbook, there were 46 people who were indicted and legally processed under the ITE Law, which has been criticized for being notoriously open to interpretation.
The report also highlighted the case involving the Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence Fatia Maulidiyanti and the Director of Lokataru Haris Azhar, who were both reported to the police by Coordinating Minister of Investment and Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on defamation charges. This is one of the latest high-profile instances of the curbing of freedom of expression and expression highlighted by Amnesty.
Moreover, the report reveals the cyberattack against Konde.co after the women’s empowerment organization published an article regarding the alleged sexual violence case that had happened in the Ministry of Cooperatives. This is another example of how freedom of expression is constantly challenged in Indonesia.
The Amnesty International Indonesia researcher highlights the need for the Indonesian government to repeal the problematic ITE Law and ensure the protection of human rights activists. It is essential to ensure that people’s rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association are safeguarded to prevent the continued suppression of rights defenders.
The report encourages the authorities to conduct impartial and independent investigations into all attacks against human rights defenders and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable. The government should also take concrete steps towards repealing or amending laws that enable the suppression of people’s rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
In conclusion, the Amnesty International Indonesia 2022 annual report coherently and comprehensively highlights the challenges faced by human rights defenders in Indonesia. The scale of the problem is alarming and emphasizes the need for immediate action to protect human rights defenders and uphold people’s fundamental rights. The report urges the government and international community to take measures to ensure that the suppression of human rights defenders ends and that Indonesia’s civil society flourishes.
