Human Rights 2 - Indonesia at Melbourne

Indonesia needs a strong public interest defence to stem the tide of online defamation cases

"Guidelines" for implementation of the so-called ITE Law are not enough. Indonesia needs to follow the example of other countries and include a strong public interest defence in the law.

Talking Indonesia: Aceh's Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Human Rights, Security, Talking Indonesia

New Talking Indonesia host Dr Jacqui Baker chats to Dr Jess Melvin and Dr Annie Pohlman about the soon-to-be released report of the Aceh Truth and Reconciliation Commission. What impact will the report have on Acehnese politics and society, and Indonesia more broadly?

Another Marriage Law controversy: is reform overdue?

Human Rights, Law, Religion, Society, Top Stories

The recent marriage of one of President Joko Widodo’s female special staffers, a Muslim, to her Catholic boyfriend has prompted new debate on Indonesia's 50-year-old Marriage Law.

History repeats: Langkat case exposes the long history of slavery on plantations

Corruption, Environment, Human Rights, Top Stories

The alleged abuse of plantation workers by the Langkat district head shocked Indonesia. But the exploitation of plantation workers follows a pattern established as far back as the colonial era.

Best of 2021

Arts, Corruption, Covid-19, Economy, Foreign Policy, Gender, Human Rights, Law, Politics, Religion, Security, Society

Indonesia at Melbourne will be taking a short break over the New Year period. Here we present the articles and episodes that attracted your attention in 2021. We look forward to seeing you again in mid-January 2022!

Talking Indonesia: academic freedom

Education, Human Rights, Talking Indonesia

What is driving recent attacks on academic freedom? How much is the notorious ITE Law to blame? Dr Jemma Purdey chats to Dr Robertus Robet in the latest episode of Talking Indonesia.

Luhut reporting activists for defamation is another blow to freedom of expression

Human Rights, Law

Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan's report against human rights activists Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti is the latest case in a worrying trend where public officials have weaponised defamation provisions to silence critics.

Talking Indonesia: Papua, food and racism

Environment, Human Rights, Talking Indonesia

How do racial discrimination and agricultural development interact to affect indigenous communities' right to food in West Papua? Dr Annisa Beta chats to Dr Sophie Chao in the latest episode of Talking Indonesia.

Academic freedom: another victim of the ITE law?

Education, Human Rights, Law, Top Stories

The sentencing of Syiah Kuala University lecturer Saiful Mahdi for defamation is another devastating blow to academic freedom, and freedom of expression more broadly, in Indonesia.

Posted in: Human Rights