CIVICUS reports on the dangers posed to civil society by Indonesia’s new Criminal Code. Fatia Maulidiyanti of KontraS highlights provisions that criminalize dissent and undermine civic freedoms, drawing parallels with Indonesia’s authoritarian past. Despite civil society protests, government disregard for human rights persists, calling for urgent international intervention to safeguard civic space.
CIVICUS recently engaged in a substantive dialogue with Fatia Maulidiyanti, the Executive Coordinator of KontraS, concerning Indonesia’s newly enacted Criminal Code. Maulidiyanti denounced the code for its numerous articles that threaten civil liberties, particularly the rights to privacy and freedom of expression. The code not only criminalizes dissent, as seen in provisions for defaming the president and state institutions but also reintroduces archaic clauses reminiscent of authoritarian governance during the Suharto era. Furthermore, the legislation requires permits for public demonstrations, adding another layer of control over civic movements. The challenges to civil society are compounded by systemic corruption and inefficiencies within the police and judicial systems, which already hinder civic engagement. Additionally, the government’s maneuvers to appease conservative religious factions signal a regression in moral issues, exemplifying a broader decline in civil rights. Despite organized protests and campaigns by KontraS and other civil society organizations since 2019, governmental indifference has prevailed, necessitating international support to safeguard civic space in Indonesia and hold the government accountable for its human rights record.
In 1998, KontraS was founded as an Indonesian civil society organization aimed at investigating enforced disappearances and human rights violations. The recent passing of the Criminal Code has raised alarms as it introduces severe restrictions on civil liberties, mirroring the oppressive political climate of Indonesia during the Suharto regime. Articles criminalizing defamation of government officials and institutions seek to suppress dissent and curtail freedom of expression, which has already been compromised by systemic corruption within the state’s policing and judicial frameworks. The new legislation’s requirements for permits to organize public gatherings further threaten the operational capacity of civil society organizations. Amidst this landscape, the government’s attempt to cater to Islamic fundamentalist groups adds further complexity to Indonesia’s human rights situation.
The enactment of Indonesia’s new Criminal Code poses a significant threat to civil society by reinstating oppressive measures that curtail fundamental freedoms and suppress dissent. KontraS highlights the dangerous implications for civic engagement and the need for robust international support to counter these authoritarian tendencies. The imperative for global stakeholders, including investors and diplomatic entities, is to advocate for a reversal of these regressive policies while holding the Indonesian government accountable for its deteriorating human rights record. As civil society continues to mobilize, the need for solidarity and intervention from the international community has never been more critical.
Original Source: www.civicus.org
