Intan Setiawanty, Jakarta – Indonesia experiences the most severe human rights setback in 2025, according to Amnesty International Indonesia. The human rights watchdog describes this year as a "national human rights catastrophe," as state policies sacrifice citizens' rights for economic agendas, including deforestation-based development.
"This year is also marked by the poor response to ecological disasters in Sumatra, displaying the government's inability to handle humanitarian crises," said Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, in a year-end statement released on Monday, December 29, 2025.
Amnesty, according to Usman, believes the human rights situation in Indonesia deteriorated throughout the year. The state is deemed to have failed in fulfilling its constitutional function, both in normal and crisis conditions. The government is said to have neglected its duty to protect civil and political rights as well as economic, social, and cultural rights.
The Indonesian government is increasingly prioritizing economic policies that limit public participation, followed by repressive actions when faced by dissent. "The catastrophe is a result of anti-criticism in the government," said Usman.
Amnesty notes that the human rights violations throughout 2025 are interrelated. Budget efficiency policies worsen the people's economic conditions, while deforestation-based development projects encroach upon the living space of indigenous communities. The social gap also widens amidst weak protection of labor rights and social security.
In the context of disasters, the state is deemed unprepared to face ecological crises. The government's response to the Sumatra floods and landslides is considered slow and lacking in empathy. Amnesty believes that this inadequacy reflects the state's failure to protect the right to life and safety of its citizens.
The watchdog also underscores state officials who belittle crises and narrow the space for criticism. Law enforcement officials are said to often respond to protests with arrests and mass detentions, instead of engaging in dialogue.
According to Amnesty, this situation distances Indonesia from the ideals of social justice. Without profound correction, the erosion of human rights is likely to continue and be embedded deeply into state policy practices.