Indonesia’s human rights movement sinks deeper into disarray as Prabowo rises
Human Rights, PoliticsThe meeting between senior officials of the Gerindra party and several pro-democracy activists from the 1997/1998 period and their family members illustrates that although Prabowo has described himself “a staunch defender of human rights”, his past continues to be a concern.
Jokowi set to win: Melbourne experts respond
2019 Indonesian Elections, Analysis, Political parties, PoliticsAfter a long, bitter, but largely uneventful campaign, it looks like President Joko Widodo will be re-elected with about 55 per cent of the vote. University of Melbourne academics offer their early thoughts on the results.
More of the same? Candidates make unconvincing commitments to human rights in first debate
2019 Indonesian Elections, Human Rights, Politics, Religion, SecurityWith rights on the agenda during the first debate on 17 January, expectations were high. But as Dr Ken Setiawan writes, the performance of both candidate pairs left little hope for an improvement in the human rights situation.
Jokowi is not fooling anyone with latest nod to victims of rights abuses
Analysis, Human RightsPresident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo last week met participants of Indonesia’s longest running human rights protest, Kamisan (“Thursdays”). Dr Ken Setaiwan writes that despite the promising photographs that came out of the meeting, his government has little interest in pursuing justice for past crimes.
Indonesia grilled over its rights record at the UN
Analysis, Human RightsIndonesia had its human rights record scrutinised under the United Nation's Universal Periodic Review process for the third time last week. Dr Ken Setiawan takes a look at the concerns raised and examines the prospects for meaningful change in promotion and protection of human rights on the ground.
Talking Indonesia: human rights promotion in ASEAN
Human Rights, Talking IndonesiaIndonesia has taken a leading role in the promotion of human rights at the level of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). To what extent does the development of regional mechanisms mean that human rights are accepted in the region? How does Indonesia's support for a regional mechanism relate to its domestic human rights challenges? Dr Ken Setiawan discusses these issues and more with Associate Professor Dinna Wisnu in Talking Indonesia this week.
Talking Indonesia: civil liberties
Human Rights, Talking IndonesiaWhile Indonesia has seen a decline in state violence since the collapse of the New Order, non-state violence, particularly toward minorities, appears to have increased. This has contributed to restriction of civil liberties, and poses challenges for democratic reform. In Talking Indonesia this week, Dr Ken Setiawan chats to Dr Budi Hernawan about the shrinking space for civil liberties.
Komnas HAM: not just ineffective but corrupt as well?
Analysis, Corruption, Human RightsLast week, the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) released a report confirming what many in the human rights community had suspected for years - members of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) have been embezzling public funds. Dr Ken Setiawan looks at the factors within Komnas HAM that have allowed this to occur.
Talking Indonesia: disability
Human Rights, Talking IndonesiaWhat roles are played by religion and culture in perceptions of disability in Indonesia and how do these perceptions influence policy? What is being done, or should be done, to promote inclusion of people with disability? In Talking Indonesia this week, Dr Ken Setiawan discusses these issues and more with leading disability advocate Slamet Thohari, from Brawijaya University in Malang, East Java.