Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-116-2017

14 August 2017

Dear Friends,

The Indonesian government has again rejected claims that rights to the freedom of expression and assembly are restricted in Papua region.

Scores of people from the Pancasila Youth (PP) paramilitary group have shut down a film showing and discussion about radical poet Wiji Thukul at the Lintas Kemukus Retreat in Sirau Village, Padurak

Fachrul Sidiq, Jakarta – The Jakarta Police have completed a case dossier on a standup comedian who complained about Green Pramuka City apartments in Cempaka Putih and will submit the file to the C

Nurul Fitri Ramadhani, Semarang – The University of Semarang (Unnes) in Central Java has reported two of its students to police for committing satire after they criticized Technology, Research and

Indonesian authorities have imposed a travel ban on tycoon and politician Hary Tanoesoedibjo, who is building resorts to be managed by Trump hotels, over an investigation into allegations he threat

Jakarta – The National Police officially named businessman-cum-politician Hary Tanoesoedibjo a suspect on Friday for allegedly intimidating an Attorney General's Office (AGO) official last year.

Jakarta – The National Police cyber crime unit has arrested a 45-year-old man using the YouTube account, 'Professor' Tamim Pardede, in Tangerang, Banten for allegedly posting videos containing hate

Jakarta – Bekasi Police brought in a 15-year-old identified only as BBS from his home in Kaliabang, North Bekasi, on Monday, after receiving a formal complaint from a group who claimed the boy had

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has become aware that persecution against people who exercise their right to freedom of expression and opinion is very widespread in Indonesia.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI), Indonesia, in strongly criticizing the latest action by members of the Islamic Defenders Fr

Jakarta – The Islam Defenders Front (FPI) has claimed the Internet sweeping conducted by several FPI members to hunt down social media users allegedly insulting its leader, Rizieq Shihab, was an in

Jakarta – The Jakarta Police have named Alfian Tanjung, lecturer at Jakarta's Prof. Dr.

Jakarta – The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) has lambasted all forms of intimidation, violence and attempts to restrict freedom of speech by the Islam Defenders Front (FPI).

Suherdjoko, Blora, Central Java – Blora District Court in Central Java sentenced on Monday the author of the book Jokowi Undercover, Bambang Tri Mulyono, 45, to three years in prison for insulting

Jakarta – The National Police has condemned parties who hunt down social media users accused of insulting Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab

Jakarta – The country's largest Islamic organization, Nahdatul Ulama (NU), has asked all mass organizations, including religion-based ones, to stop persecuting anyone accused of insulting religion

Ahmad Rafiq, Surakarta – A People's Ceremonial Stage to remember the May riots in the Central Java city of Solo was unable to show the documentary film "The May 1998 Tragedy" after police requested

Jakarta – Several members of the Jakarta City Council reported the owner of Facebook account Cahyo Harimurti to the Jakarta Police on Tuesday for alleged defamation and libel.

Ganung Nugroho Adi, Surakarta – The Surakarta Police dispersed on Sunday evening a candlelight vigil held in front of the Surakarta City Hall, citing a lack of permit as the reason behind its move

Bambang Muryanto, Yogyakarta – Approximately 30 members of youth organization Pemuda Pancasila (PP) on Monday took down the painting exhibition of an artist cum activist, Andreas Iswinarno.

Ganug Nugroho Adi, Semarang, Central Java – Hundreds of people grouped under the Prophet Muhammad Family's Lovers Association protested a book launch at the Surakarta State Islamic Institute (IAIN)

Sukma Indah Permana, Bantul – An exhibition displaying the art works of Andreas Iswinarto in the Bantul regency of Yogyakarta province has been closed down by the social organisation Pancasila Yout

SAFEnet Voice has recorded that since 2015, 73 percent of violations against freedom of expression have been committed on the grounds of spreading communism.

Bambang Muryanto, Yogyakarta – Yogyakarta Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, who is also the Yogyakarta governor, reported on Wednesday metronews.tk, an online media company, to the Yogyakarta Police for all

Andi Hajramurni, Jakarta – The Makassar District Court in South Sulawesi cleared on Tuesday a woman of defamation charges for comments she made in a Facebook post.

Taylor McDonald – The unstable Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua are experiencing interesting times.

Jakarta – Police are investigating hate speech allegations against a suspect who was arrested for allegedly creating derogatory memes involving President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, former President Mega

Jakarta – The Jakarta Police have issued an investigation termination warrant (SP3) on a case of alleged blasphemy involving Ade Armando, a lecturer of Communication Sciences at the University of I

Andi Hajramurni, Makassar, South Sulawesi – Prosecutors at the Makassar District Court in South Sulawesi demanded that a 27-year-old housewife named Yusniar be sentenced to five months in jail for

Jakarta – Press Council member Nezar Patria, through his lawyers, sent a legal warning letter on Monday to university lecturer and Muslim preacher Alfian Tanjung for accusing him of being a cadre o

Margareth S.

Yuliawati, Jakarta – Scores of police have blocked Papuan student in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta who planned to hold a demonstration today.

Badriyanto, Jakarta – Indonesian military (TNI) chief General Gatot Nurmantyo was relaxed in response to news that there is a West Papua people's petition seeking to separate West Papua from the Un

Jakarta – University of Indonesia lecturer Ade Armando has been named a suspect for allegedly violating the Electronic Information and Transactions Law.

Jakarta – Chief Security Minister Wiranto has expressed certainty that the current administration will not become an authoritarian regime.

Jakarta – Indonesian Chief Minister of Security, Political and Legal affairs Wiranto called upon the public here on Monday not to hold frequent public demonstrations.

Margareth S.

Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – The National Police have added more charges to the dossier of Bambang Tri Mulyono, the author of a book titled "Jokowi Undercover", who is now under investigation

Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – National Police chief Gen.

Jakarta – Police have arrested Bambang Tri Mulyono, the author of a book titled "Jokowi Undercover". Bambang has been accused of spreading hatred against President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.

Jakarta – Police arrested a man named Jamil Adil, 47, on Thursday morning for allegedly defacing a wall under the Kebon Baru toll road in North Jakarta with profane words directed at President Joko

Liza Yosephine, Jakarta – Not everyone is happy with the design of the new banknotes recently released by Bank Indonesia.

Callistasia Anggun Wijaya, Jakarta – Human Rights Watch (HRW) says Indonesia breached the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) that was ratified in 2005 by keeping its blasp

Fadli, Batam – Batam Police have arrested a 30-year old man on blasphemy charges over a Facebook post.

Just five months before Indonesia is set to host UNESCO's 2017 celebration of World Press Freedom Day, its government still has not met a regional human rights watchdog's demands to address press f

Jakarta – The National Police confirmed on Thursday that its general crime directorate (Bareskrim) had summonsed comedian-turned National Mandate Party (PAN) politician Eko Hendro Purnomo for quest

Jakarta – Police have named an inmate at Tangerang penitentiary in Banten a suspect in a case of defamation against National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian.

Haeril Halim, Jakarta – Amid growing criticism from rights activists, the government has softened its stance and announced that internet content generated by press institutions is not among the inf

Moses Ompusunggu, Jakarta – Lawyers for protesters attending a West Papua liberation rally in Jakarta on Thursday have accused police officers of beating their clients after a clash broke out betwe