Publications

Human Rights Council calls for access to West Papua during UPR

Human Rights News, Reports / , /

On 9 November 2022, Indonesia was reviewed for a fourth time by the UN Human Rights Council’s (HRC) Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a review in which the members of the Human Rights Council discuss the overall human rights situation in Indonesia, including in West Papua. During the three hours session in Geneva, Indonesia presented its human rights record from the state’s perspective after it had submitted its national report for this review.

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Human Rights in West Papua in 2022 – no improvement but further deterioration

Human Rights News, Reports / , /

Two major developments with a significant effect on the human rights situation in West Papua throughout 2022 were, firstly, Jakarta’s plans to amend the Papuan special autonomy law and establish new provinces in West Papua. This has caused widespread rejection among indigenous Papuans. In July 2021, the central government unilaterally amended the Papuan Special Autonomy (Otsus) Law without the participation of the Papuan Peoples Assembly (MRP) and the provincial government. Secondly, the ongoing armed conflict in West Papua causes a climate of persistent violence, particularly in the conflict areas. Papuan human rights defenders kept reporting cases of torture, extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances – many of such cases are directly related to armed conflict.

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Land conflict between Pantai Raja Kampar community and PTP Nusantara V – 38 years ongoing

Human Rights News / /

On 21 October 2022, around 40 indigenous peoples of Pantai Raja Village, Kampar Regency, Riau, went to Jakarta with the blessing of the Malay Customary Institution of Riau Province (LAM Riau) to fight for their land, which has been controlled by the state-owned enterprise PTP Nusantara V (PTPN V) since 1984. PTPN V seized 1013 hectares of indigenous people’s land.

Land conflict between Pantai Raja Kampar community and PTP Nusantara V – 38 years ongoing Read More »

Civil Society Coalition criticises Indonesia’s report on Papua at the UPR Session of the UN

Human Rights News / , /

On 9 November 2022, Indonesia passed the periodic monitoring of the promotion of human rights at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The Civil Society Coalition for UPR Reporting consisting of Amnesty International Indonesia, ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, KontraS, KIKA, FreeToBeMe Coalition (FTBM) Indonesia, SAFEnet, and Transmen Indonesia, held a press conference to share their joint analysis and monitoring of the Indonesian government’s report in the UPR session.

Civil Society Coalition criticises Indonesia’s report on Papua at the UPR Session of the UN Read More »

Leading Papuan Independence Activist Filep Karma died allegedly in a diving accident

Human Rights News / , /

Filep Karma, one of the most prominent pro-independence West Papuan activists was found dead on 1 November 2022 at 7 am on a beach in Jayapura city. Initially, the police confirmed that a body has been found by a resident on the beach at Base G and identification was pending. Later on, Filep Karma’s family confirmed that the body belong to Filep and that he drowned in a diving accident. Reportedly, Filep had been on a diving trip with his brother-in-law and nephew but went diving alone after the two left the beach.

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President Jokowi establishes team to investigate the tragedy in Kajuruan and Komnas HAM plans to take case to the UN

Human Rights News / /

To unearth the Kanjuruhan tragedy that killed 131 people, President Jokowi, on 4 October 2022, signed Presidential Decree Number 19 of 2022 concerning establishing an Independent Joint Fact-Finding Team for the Malang Kanjuruhan Stadium incident. TGIPF is formed by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs as Chairman, the Deputy Chairman of the Minister of Youth and Sports, a secretary Nur Rochmad and nine members. The TGIPF was tasked with searching, finding, and revealing facts supported by reliable data and information on the Malang Kanjuruhan Stadium incident.

President Jokowi establishes team to investigate the tragedy in Kajuruan and Komnas HAM plans to take case to the UN Read More »

Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Informatics Nr. 5 of 2020 will aggravate restrictions on freedom of expression and data privacy protection in Indonesia

Human Rights News / /

Since its inception in November 2020, the Regulation issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo), Regulation Number 5 of 2020 on Private Electronic System Operators (PSEs), has been predicted to become a repressive policy instrument that violates human rights. This Regulation Number 5/2020 (Perkominfo) adds to the long list of threats to freedom of expression, the right to information, and privacy from the Indonesian government. Based on the Perkominfo 5/2020, the government announced in June 2022 that it would block tech companies that do not officially register as PSEs in the country until 20 July 2022, sparking public concern and criticism across the country.

Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Informatics Nr. 5 of 2020 will aggravate restrictions on freedom of expression and data privacy protection in Indonesia Read More »

The controversy and secrecy around the changes in the Indonesian criminal code

Human Rights News / , /

The latest draft of the Indonesian Criminal Code consists of several articles that discriminate against non-Muslims, including religious minorities; women and girls, and LGBT people; that potentially criminalise individuals who organise peaceful protests; among many other human rights issues.

The controversy and secrecy around the changes in the Indonesian criminal code Read More »