The New Indonesian President Must Stand Up for Human Rights Defenders

In a letter to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Human Rights First urged Indonesia’s new president to make the protection of human rights defenders a top priority for his administration following Wednesday’s inauguration. As Indonesia’s first directly elected president, he should use his mandate to make important strides in Indonesia’s democratic reforms, or reformasi.

“Protecting human rights defenders is the most important way to promote rights throughout society,” said Matt Easton, Senior Associate at Human Rights First. “If this administration wants to set a new standard for democracy in Indonesia, it must begin by promoting respect for advocates of human rights.”

Since the fall of Suharto, Indonesia has made important advances in areas such as electoral democracy and freedom of expression. But even as more Indonesians are aware of human rights issues and the press is increasingly free to report on abuses, human rights defenders report an increase in threats, intimidation and outright attacks. The increasing vulnerability of human rights advocates can be linked to counterterrorism measures, military operations in Aceh and Papua, impunity for past attacks, and new forms of intimidation, from lawsuits to suspicious mob actions.

Attacks, ranging from the killing of Acehnese activist Jafar Siddiq Hamzah to mob assaults on nongovernmental organizations in Jakarta, have gone largely unpunished, even where there is eyewitness testimony or other reliable evidence.

“President Yudhoyono has announced his intention to appoint a defense minister who understands human rights,” added Easton. “But will the administration as a whole demonstrate the political will necessary to end impunity and protect human rights defenders from new attacks and restrictions on their work?”

Human Rights First also called on the new administration to make the protection of human rights defenders in conflict areas such as Aceh and Papua a key part of promised efforts to resolve conflicts through political rather than military means.

Read HRF Letter to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

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