The new government must take immediate and effective measures to uphold the human rights of everyone in the country and ensure accountability for human rights violations, something that the previous Joko Widodo administration persistently failed to do.
While the Jokowi government achieved some infrastructural developments and economic growth, it was beset by troubling patterns of human rights violations.
“These rights abuses—ranging from repression of the right to freedom of expression, marginalization of Indigenous communities, environmental neglect, conflict in Papua and the entrenched culture of impunity—constitute a flagrant breach of Indonesia’s international human rights obligations and commitments,” said Amnesty International Indonesia’s executive director Usman Hamid.
“The new government and leadership must make it a top priority to end these egregious human rights violations and ensure a more just and inclusive society.”
During Jokowi’s administration, human rights defenders, journalists, and environmental activists faced repression, despite Indonesia’s outward claims of progress in human rights and the rule of law.
From January 2019 to October 2024, Amnesty International Indonesia recorded at least 454 cases of attacks against 1262 human rights defenders, including Indigenous people.
One of the most glaring examples was the crackdown on peaceful protests and dissent.
Demonstrations opposing controversial laws were met with repressive measures by security forces, with numerous reports of intimidation, harassment, excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, and beatings. This included laws such as the Job Creation Law in 2020 and the revision to the Regional Elections Law in 2024, as well as development policies, like the national strategic projects that threaten Indigenous community.
“The new administration must recognize that protest is not a threat to the state, but a fundamental aspect of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the Constitution and international human rights treaties to which Indonesia is a state party,” Usman Hamid said.
The Electronic Information and Transaction (EIT) Law remains a deeply problematic law that continues to criminalize human rights defenders and stifle critical voices in Indonesia even though the law has been revised twice, in 2016 and 2024.
Over the years, it has transformed into a tool to suppress criticism of the government, stifling the right to freedom of expression and intimidating those who sought to hold the authorities to account for human rights violations. Human rights defenders were frequently targeted, facing legal charges simply for speaking out against allegations of corruption, environmental destruction, or abuses of power.
From January 2019 to September 2024, Amnesty International Indonesia recorded at least 521 cases with 554 people charged under the EIT Law for defamation and hate speech.
“These actions revealed deep-seated issues of repression and impunity, where the government failed to allow people to freely express their views and address their grievances, ” said Usman Hamid.
Marginalization of Indigenous peoples and environmental neglect
Indigenous peoples and local communities continue to face repression.
Poco Leok residents in Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province have been opposing the government’s seizure of their land for the construction of a Geothermal Power Plant, part of the national strategic projects. On 2 October 2024, several protesters, including women, fell after being pushed and one resident fainted after being kicked by an officer. The police also arrested and allegedly beat four residents.
Similar treatment of protesters occurred in the Mandalika Circuit in Nusa Tenggara Barat ahead of the MotoGP races last September. Authorities banned banners and demonstrations during the event, reflecting the ongoing repression of critical voices, particularly from local Indigenous communities whose lands were seized for the Mandalika Circuit and Special Economic Zone without fair compensation.
The national strategic projects threaten to displace Indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands, with little to no consultation or compensation.
“The government does not seem to care about free, prior and informed consent. The Indigenous and local people have merely been seen as an impediment to development,” said Usman.
In Papua, the new Trans-Papua Highway cuts through indigenous territories without proper consultation. Similarly, Merauke’s indigenous people in South Papua reject the national strategic food estate project, citing its aggressive implementation without prior agreement or consultation.
In North Sumatra, the Batang Toru Hydroelectric Dam project threatens Indigenous communities living near the Batang Toru forest and its ecosystem, including Tapanuli orangutan habitat.
In Central Java, the Kendeng cement factory moved forward with minimal consultation and lack of adequate compensation despite opposition from the Indigenous Sedulur Sikep community.
In East Kalimantan, the ongoing new capital’s development threatens the rights of Dayak Paser Indigenous communities, whose lands are located within and around the planned construction zone.
In many cases, such projects also led to environmental degradation, as forests were cleared, ecosystems were disrupted, and local communities were left to bear the brunt of the ecological consequences.
“The new president and government should prioritize sustainable development that respects Indigenous land rights and access to justice and effective remedies and ensures that affected communities have a meaningful say in decisions that impact their livelihoods. The rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities must be effectively respected and safeguarded in all national development projects,” said Usman Hamid.
Humanitarian crisis in Papua
Violence involving state security forces and Papuan pro-independence groups is ongoing and has resulted in casualties. According to Amnesty International’s information, between February 2018 and August 2024, there were at least 132 cases of unlawful killings in Papua, resulting in the deaths of at least 242 civilians. A significant portion of these incidents, 83 cases involving 135 victims, were attributed to security forces.
During the same period, at least 55 military personnel (TNI) were killed in 37 cases, 16 police officers (Polri) in 14 cases, and 42 members of Papuan pro-independence groups (OPM) in 27 cases of unlawful killings.
These killings heighten tensions, especially for innocent Indigenous Papuans who remain victims.
“We call on the new president and government to evaluate the existing heavy security approach in the region. For the past decade, the intensified military deployment has only been resulting in more human rights violations. The new government must uphold the human rights of everyone in the country and ensure justice and accountability for human rights violations,” said Usman Hamid.
Broken promises and unresolved past rights abuses
In his 2014 presidential campaign, Joko Widodo pledged to address past human rights violations and end impunity. However, a decade later, these promises remain unmet. Suspected perpetrators of human rights violations continue to enjoy impunity while victims are routinely denied access to justice and effective remedies, including in the 12 cases acknowledged by the president in January 2023.
Until now there has been no concrete action from the Attorney General to advance these cases to the investigation and prosecution stages, in accordance with the mandate of Law No. 26 of 2000 on Human Rights Courts.
This lack of accountability extended to unresolved and ongoing human rights violations, with law enforcement and state officials rarely facing consequences for their actions.
“If Indonesia is to move forward, the new president and his administration must immediately prioritize respect for human rights, accountability and the rule of law. This includes reopening or conducting thorough, independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigations into past human rights violations, ensuring access to justice and effective remedies for victims, and strengthening existing legal rules and institutional mechanisms to prevent and redress future violations,” said Usman Hamid.
“A government that fails to confront its past is doomed to repeat it, and the new administration has the obligations to ensure that Indonesia’s history of impunity is not carried into the future.”
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Amnesty International Indonesia's Executive Director, Usman Hamid, has called on President-elect Prabowo Subianto's administration to prioritize human rights protection. He highlighted numerous rights violations that occurred during President Joko Widodo's tenure.
"These violations—including repression of freedom of expression, displacement of indigenous communities, environmental destruction, escalating conflicts in Papua, and the entrenchment of a culture of impunity—are prominent examples of the previous government's breaches of Indonesia's international human rights obligations and commitments," Usman stated in an official release on Friday, October 18, 2024.
Usman noted that human rights activists and civilians have frequently faced repression. From January 2019 to October 2024, Amnesty International Indonesia documented at least 454 incidents involving attacks on 1,262 human rights defenders, including indigenous activists, journalists, and environmental advocates.
"The new government must understand that protests are not a threat to the state," he said, urging the Prabowo administration to make human rights enforcement a priority and ensure citizens have space to voice their concerns.
Usman warned that failing to address past violations would inevitably lead to their recurrence, stressing that the incoming administration has a responsibility to end Indonesia's legacy of impunity.
ANASTASYA LAVENIA Y
Jokowi exercised the power he consolidated to dismantle, rather than to fix, the system. It will be hard to forget the political maneuvering of his agents to extend his presidential tenure by means of a constitutional amendment under the flimsy pretense of policy continuity. Jokowi has denied allegations of such interference, but his support for the Constitutional Court’s decision to relax candidate age limits simply to allow his son Gibran Rakabuming Raka to run for vice president in the February election, as Prabowo Subianto’s running mate, indicates his appetite for power beyond his presidential tenure.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, Usman Hamid, urges President-elect Prabowo and Vice President-elect Gibran to evaluate the security approach in Papuan soil. According to Usman, the ongoing violence involving state forces and the Papua pro-freedom groups has taken many lives.
Based on Amnesty International Indonesia’s observation, at least 132 unlawful killings in Papua occurred from February 2018 to August 2024. These instances, Usman said, have caused the deaths of 242 civilians.
“The majority of these incidents, or 83 cases with 135 civilian victims, are linked to security forces,” Usman said on Friday, October 18, 2024.
In the same period, Usman said, as many as 55 military personnel have been killed in 37 cases, as well as 16 police members in 14 cases. Meanwhile, 42 members of the Free Papua group, or OPM, have been killed in 27 instances of unlawful killings.
“These murders exacerbate the tension (in Papuan soil), especially for the Indigenous people of Papua,” Usman emphasized.
“We urge the president and the new government to evaluate the security approach in Papua. Over the past decade, the increasingly intensive military deployment has only resulted in more infringements on human rights,” he added.
Usman also hopes that the Prabowo government will uphold the human rights of all people, including native Papuans. He asks the government to ensure justice and accountability for human rights violations in Papuan soil.
"First, strengthen the aspect of sustainable Papua welfare development planning with transparency and responsibility," he said during a discussion on the acceleration of development and special autonomy in Papua. The discussion was held in Jakarta on Friday.
In this case, responsibility means ensuring the program has a real impact and provides comprehensive, effective, and accountable solutions for Papua, he explained.
"Second, increase public trust in the government through a cultural and religious approach," Amin said.
Through the approach, it is expected that communication between the local community and related parties can be established through peaceful discussions, he said.
"Embrace traditional leaders, religious figures, youth, and Papuan mothers in development efforts to improve welfare and realize a peaceful Papua," he said.
Third, accelerate efforts to follow up the formation of new autonomous regions, he said.
"Please immediately complete the impending agenda such as the development of government infrastructure, human resources management, and regional financial management," he said.
Amin then lauded all stakeholders in Papua and said that development in the province cannot be achieved instantly, but will require continuous action.
"I would like to express my appreciation to all stakeholders in Papua, especially the acting governors, acting mayors and district head, legislative representatives, Papuan People's Assembly, traditional and religious leaders, and all components of the Papua Steering Committee (BPP) for their hard work," he added.
Earlier, the representative of BPP, Albert Yoku, said that many benefits of development are currently being felt by the Papuan people, especially Indigenous Papuans.
He said he believes that if development is carried out sustainably, Papua will make similar progress as other Indonesian provinces.
"We are confident that the Indonesia-centric development policy will be realized, and Papua will enjoy development like other provinces. Including the four new autonomous regions, namely Southwest Papua, Central Papua, South Papua, and Highland Papua," Yoku added.
Related news: Papua security must remain priority: VP Amin
Related news: MRP proposes regional expansion in Mimika to President Jokowi
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Theo Kelen, Jayapura – The Indonesian Military Headquarters or Mabes TNI has stated that they will use a humanist approach in supporting national food security programs in the land of Papua, especially the 1 million hectare rice field National Strategic Project (PSN) in Merauke regency.
Activists and human rights defenders however doubt that the involvement of TNI soldiers in the food security program will produce a humanist approach towards indigenous peoples in the land of Papua.
Mabes TNI Information Centre head Major General Haryanto said that TNI soldiers clearly love the people therefore the TNI will work in humanist manner. Haryanto said that in its work the TNI would adjust to local traditions and customs and with a socio-cultural approach towards local indigenous peoples.
"The TNI will work in a humanist manner", Haryanto told Jubi on Wednesday October 16.
Haryanto said the TNI's presence in Merauke as a Vulnerable Region Support (PDR) unit has the main task of helping the government optimise the availability of food. Haryanto said the TNI would also help in the fields of animal husbandry, community health activities and construction to realise national food security.
"The TNI is always one with the people to build in various sectors of the community. To improve the standard of living and a life for the community that is better", he said.
Haryanto said that the TNI serves under the guidelines of the Sapta Marga (the seven point personal commitment), the soldiers' oath, the TNI's eight-point obligatory duties as well as obeying the law and respecting local customs. Haryanto said that if violence is committed by TNI soldiers in the field, the ranking field commander would be held responsible and face the consequences under applicable law.
But we should not be provoked by irresponsible people who spread fake news for personal gain, deliberately damaging progress and peace in the land of Papua. We must be more observant in looking at it, and enquire directly with more proficient sources", Haryanto told Jubi in a WhatsApp message on Wednesday.
Haryanto said that if problems occur related to local customs, they will always be handled through deliberations and consensus, adding the TNI struggles with the people and for the benefit of the people.
"The unity of the TNI and the people will not be separated, like fish and water need each other. The TNI carries out its duties in accordance with the law, namely upholding sovereignty, maintaining the integrity of the nation, and protecting all the people and their places of birth", he said.
Poor track record
Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid however said it is reasonable to doubt the humanist approach promised by the TNI because it has a poor track record in the land of Papua. According to Hamid, the boastful attitude of the military corps also often makes TNI soldiers feel they are above the law.
"I'm sceptical of the claim, considering that the TNI has a poor track record of human rights violations in Papua. Including the torture and extrajudicial killing of civilians", Hamid told Jubi on Wednesday.
Hamid stressed that food security in Papua should be a civil matter saying that the humanist approach claimed by the TNI should be realised by prioritising the protection of indigenous peoples' rights and respecting human rights.
"Rather than involving the military, the government should prioritise a participatory approach that involves indigenous Papuans in every development project. Without their full involvement, projects such as the food estate will continue to be seen as a form of economic and political colonisation that ignores the basic rights of local communities", he said.
Hamid said that the TNI Commander needs to review the policy of TNI involvement in supporting food security. He said the government should take steps to reduce militarisation in Papua, in order to resolve the conflict and prevent new violence there.
Local people afraid to protest
Papua Human Rights Lawyers Association (PAHAM) Director Gustaf Kawer said that based on the experience of what has happened in Papua there will be no humanist military approach. Kawer said the humanist approach touted by the TNI as a promise in the implementation of the food security project is just a slogan.
"From experience, I think there won't be any military approach that is humanist. The humanist approach is just an empty slogan. We see from the experience in Papua, in several places they [the TNI] are involved in health and education missions, but in fact human rights violations continue to occur", Kawer told Jubi on Wednesday.
Kawer said the TNI"s involvement in the food security program in Papua will only silence the critical voices of indigenous peoples. Kawer said the people would be afraid to criticise or protest over their land which has been taken by force under the pretext of food security.
"The TNI's involvement is to silence the community. For example, in land clearing, because of the involvement of the TNI, the community is afraid to criticise [the] the locations [of their communal land] that has been taken. In the process of managing business or food, if the impact is financial losses for communities, the communities no longer have any room to complain, because a military institution is involved", he said.
Kawer said the direct presence of the TNI will give rise to psychological pressure on indigenous communities and that no matter what the arguments are, it would be better for the TNI not to be involved in the food security program.
"The violence is not only about the physical weapons they use to commit violence. But their involvement from the beginning has terrorised communities psychologically, and that's why I then say the communities have lost their power to be critical. My suggestion is that the military should not be involved in managing it for any reason", he said.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "TNI Janjikan Pendekatan Humanis Proyek Ketahanan Pangan, Diragukan Para Pembela HAM".]
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