Human Rights 12 - Indonesia at Melbourne

The Rohingya crisis: what could Indonesia do better?

Hopes are high for Indonesia to play a greater role in responding to the crisis in Myanmar's Rakhine state. But Diah Tricesaria and Randy Nandyatama write that if Indonesia is to be seen as a legitimate actor in brokering peace in Myanmar, it must show leadership in the management of refugees at the domestic and regional levels.

Is Indonesia sliding towards a 'Neo-New Order'?

Analysis, Human Rights, Politics

President Joko Widodo has offered little support to the Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) since the shocking attack on its offices two weeks ago. Professor Tim Lindsey writes that civil society should not expect much from Jokowi, who is in the unenviable position of having to keep the oligarchs happy and Islamist agitators at bay.

Democratic emergency? Hard-liners, communism and the attack on LBH

Analysis, Human Rights

The past two days have seen unprecedented attacks on one of Indonesia's oldest civil society organisations, the Legal Aid Foundation (LBH). Former LBH Jakarta director Nurkholis Hidayat says the weekend's events represent a deeply troubling new low for freedom of expression.

No end to violence in Papua?

Analysis, Human Rights

One person was killed and 16 others injured when police opened fire on a group of Papuan protesters last month. Hipolitus Yolisandry Ringgi Wangge writes that the shooting highlights the Joko Widodo government's misguided and poorly coordinated approach to issues in Papua.

Is Indonesia embarking on a Philippines-style war on drugs?

Analysis, Human Rights, Law

President Joko Widodo stunned many observers recently when he appeared to give the go-ahead for police to shoot drug dealers who resist arrest. Dr Dave McRae has examined media reports of police shootings and has found that the government's tough on drugs rhetoric may be affecting how police deal with these cases.

Jokowi’s dilemma: turning Islamists into civil rights heroes?

Analysis, Human Rights, Politics

President Joko Widodo recently issued an interim emergency law (or perppu) partly intended to allow the government to ban Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI). Professor Tim Lindsey writes that the regulation has ended up forcing civil society groups that are usually threatened by hard-liners into their camp.

Talking Indonesia: urban villages and activism

Human Rights, Society, Talking Indonesia, Urban planning

Can Jakarta’s urban villages (kampung) co-exist with residential, infrastructure, and commercial projects planned for the city? What do the controversies surrounding evictions and Jakarta’s kampung communities reveal about social and economic divides? Dr Charlotte Setijadi discusses these issues and more with Dr Rita Padawangi in the latest Talking Indonesia podcast.

Can Hizbut Tahrir really be dissolved?

Analysis, Human Rights, Politics, Religion

The government's recent announcement that it planned to ban Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) has won support but also criticism, over fears of growing restrictions on freedom of association and assembly. Eryanto Nugroho writes that whatever happens, only acts, not thoughts and concepts should be banned.

Moral panic and the reinvention of LGBT

Analysis, Gender, Human Rights

Over the past month, a number of dramatic arrests have brought LGBT Indonesians back into the spotlight. Hendri Yulius writes that the publication of these "extreme" episodes is necessary to perpetuate the idea of a moral panic, and to serve a justification for the wars against LGBT people to continue.

Posted in: Human Rights