CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance and the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) are extremely concerned about demonstrations this week aimed at intimidating two human rights organisations in Indonesia for their human rights work. We urge the authorities to guarantee their protection and call upon presidential candidates and political parties send a strong message that such actions will not be tolerated.
On 5 February 2024, at least 50 individuals belonging to the ‘East Indonesian Student Youth Community Forum of the Love for the Motherland of the Republic of Indonesia’ (Forum Masyarakat Pemuda Mahasiswa Indonesia Timur Cinta NKRI) held a protest outside the office of prominent human rights organisation – the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) to intimidate the activists.
KontraS has been monitoring the election campaigns and highlighting concerns about the human rights record of candidates. On 3 February, they held a book launch related to the abduction of activists in 1998 that presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto was allegedly involved in. Prabowo is running the presidential elections with President Jokowi’s son Gibran Rakabuming as the vice-presidential candidate.
Two days later, on 7 February 2024, further protests were held by about 100 individuals from the same group, outside the office of both KontraS and the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), a legal network. The group accused KontraS and YLBHI of being ‘provocators’ calling for the impeachment of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). There has been a petition calling for his impeachment because of his constant interventions in the elections. YLBHI has also raised concerns about election abuses by the Jokowi administration.
“It is extremely worrying that two leading human rights groups are being targeted and intimidated for undertaking their work and scrutinizing the record of the election candidates. The authorities must take steps to ensure the protection of civil society that are critical in a democracy”, said CIVICUS.
As documented by the CIVICUS Monitor, under the Jokowi administration, human rights defenders activists and critics were targeted with the use of restrictive laws including online defamation under the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE law). Dozens of activists were also criminalized in Papua for treason (makar). The new Criminal Code, that comes into effect in 2026, introduces new provisions that would further criminalise expression. Journalists have also been targeted and numerous protests were met with arrests and excessive force.
Civil society groups have raised concerns in recent weeks around Jokowi perceived political interference and lack of neutrality as well as the use of the state apparatus and social assistance (bansos) funds in a bid to support his son.
“The upcoming elections offers Indonesians with an opportunity to reverse course and elect leaders that will undertake human rights reforms. Priorities for the new administration will be to repeal restrictive laws, to respect and protect human rights defenders and to end human rights violations in Papua”, said AHRC
Civic space in Indonesia is rated as "Obstructed" by the CIVICUS Monitor.