Radhiyya Indra, Jakarta – Human rights group Amnesty International Indonesia has documented what it calls a "massive" wave of attacks on human rights defenders in the first half of 2025, warning of deteriorating civic space and the government's persistent failure to protect those speaking out.
In a report released earlier this week, the rights watchdog recorded 54 separate incidents affecting 104 individuals between January and June. These attacks came in the form of police reports, arrests, criminalization, intimidation and even physical violence.
Indigenous communities and journalists made up the largest share of victims, with 36 and 31 individuals targeted, respectively. Others included university students, academics and activists involved in labor-rights, anti-corruption and environmental campaigns.
The attacks peaked in May, with at least 35 defenders targeted that month alone, coinciding with a wave of nationwide protests, particularly during Labor Day demonstrations to demand stronger protections for labor rights.
The report highlights a troubling trend as the mid-year figure already approaches half of the 123 attacks Amnesty recorded throughout 2024, which affected nearly 300 human rights defenders.
"This shows the government's ongoing failure to protect those who defend human rights in Indonesia," said Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid. "Even indigenous communities who are defending their land continue to face criminalization and harassment."
Of the 54 incidents, police officers were allegedly the most frequent perpetrators, implicated in 20 cases. Private companies were named in seven, while military personnel and government officials were involved in several others.
One example cited was the case of residents from the Maba Sangaji indigenous community in East Halmahera, North Maluku. On May 16, local police named them as suspects after they opposed mining activities on their ancestral land.
In another case, a whistleblower who exposed alleged corruption at the West Java branch of the National Alms Agency (Baznas) was reportedly criminalized by local police for revealing confidential information.
Journalists were also prominent targets. At least 29 reporters were subjected to intimidation or violence, the majority at the hands of police. In Jakarta, a ProgreSIP reporter was allegedly beaten by plainclothes officers who accused him of being an "anarchist," despite showing a valid press identification.
In Semarang, Central Java, a Tempo journalist covering the International Workers' Day rally was reportedly assaulted twice. In one instance, a police officer allegedly choked the reporter and nearly slammed him to the ground.
These attacks demonstrated the deeply rooted impunity within Indonesian law enforcement, Usman said.
"Many perpetrators receive only administrative sanctions, if any, and rarely face criminal charges. This creates a dangerous precedent for press freedom and public accountability".
Democratic backsliding
Amnesty further warned that the ongoing pattern of violence points to broader democratic backsliding, citing the growing involvement of the military in civilian affairs and increased repression under President Prabowo Subianto's administration.
The group urged lawmakers to pass new legislation that specifically protects human rights defenders from violence, intimidation and criminalization. Current legal safeguards under the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) regulations or the Environmental Protection Law have proven inadequate.
"The House of Representatives must ensure that any new legislation aligns with international human rights standards, and for it to safeguard freedom of expression and peaceful assembly," Usman said.
In response to the report, Komnas HAM commissioner Abdul Haris Semendawai expressed regret over the continued violence and criminalization of human rights defenders.
"This cannot continue. When human rights defenders become victims of violence, law enforcement should take immediate and meaningful action. Otherwise, these attacks will continue unchecked," Abdul told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
He also acknowledged that legislative efforts to pass a bill on protecting rights defenders have repeatedly stalled, leaving a serious legal gap.
Presidential spokesperson Hasan Nasbi, representatives from the Human Rights Ministry and National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Sandi Nugroho did not respond to requests for comment.
Source: https://asianews.network/indonesias-human-rights-defenders-face-unrelenting-attacks-amnesty