Law 4 - Indonesia at Melbourne

How can Australia make sure its economic partnership with Indonesia works – for both countries?

Economy, Foreign Policy, Law, Top Stories

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to Indonesia was a good sign for the implementation of Australia's free trade agreement with Indonesia. But there is still a lot of work to do.

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

Human Rights, Law

"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.

Indonesia finally has a law to protect victims of sexual violence. But the struggle is not over yet.

Gender, Law, Top Stories

After more than a decade of advocacy, Indonesia now has a new law on sexual violence, establishing a much-needed legal framework to strengthen the rights of victims.

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.

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!

Religious freedom, harmony or moderation? Government attempts to manage diversity

Law, Religion, Society, Top Stories

The government has recently promoted the concept of 'religious moderation' in its attempts to manage religious diversity in Indonesia. But there are several problems with the approach.

Constitutional amendment: why now?

Law, Politics, Top Stories

Political elites are pushing to amend the 1945 Indonesian Constitution again, despite the far more pressing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and a complete absence of public demand for change.

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.

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: Law