Human rights 2 - Indonesia at Melbourne

Why is the Industrial Relations Court failing workers?

Demonstrations on International Labour Day have recently featured somewhat surprising calls for the dissolution of the Industrial Relations Court. Dr Herlambang P Wiratraman looks at why the court - originally intended to provide greater protection for workers' rights - has failed to live up to its promise.

Is Indonesian democracy in decline?

Analysis, Human Rights, Politics

Is Indonesia seeing the emergence of a 'Neo-New Order'? Is democracy really in peril? Following his interview on Talking Indonesia last week, Professor Todung Mulya Lubis writes that although many aspects of Indonesian democracy are functioning well, there is serious cause for concern.

Talking Indonesia: democracy in peril?

Human Rights, Politics, Talking Indonesia

What does the recent attack on the Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) mean for human rights and civil society in Indonesia? What are the challenges facing the government as it heads toward the 2019 election? Is Indonesia's democracy in peril? Dr Jemma Purdey explores these questions and more with pre-eminent human rights lawyer Professor Todung Mulya Lubis.

Lukas Enembe: another Papuan problem for Jakarta

Analysis, Politics

Last month, a photo circulated on social media showing a very uncomfortable Papua Governor Lukas Enembe meeting with senior security officials in Jakarta. Dr Richard Chauvel unpacks the meeting and looks at the tensions between Jakarta and Papua approaching the 2018 regional head and 2019 presidential elections.

Talking Indonesia: human rights on film

Arts, Human Rights, Talking Indonesia

"Istirahatlah Kata-Kata" has won praise for its depiction of the life of poet and activist Widji Thukul in exile. In Talking Indonesia this week, Dr Jemma Purdey chats to the film's director, Yosep Angi Noen, about how film can provide new opportunities for dealing with histories that remain obscured.

Indonesia at Melbourne: 2016 in review

Elections, Foreign Policy, Human Rights, Law, Politics, Public health, Religion, Review

In our final post for 2016, we send off this rather depressing year by taking a look back at some of the expert commentary and analysis published on Indonesia at Melbourne. Thanks again for your loyal readership and support, and we look forward to seeing you again in mid-January.

Talking Indonesia: human rights promotion in ASEAN

Human Rights, Talking Indonesia

Indonesia 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.

Torture as theatre in Papua

Analysis, Human Rights

Dr Budi Hernawan has analysed 431 cases of torture that occurred in Papua between 1963 and 2010. He writes that although torture is generally considered a hidden crime, in Papua it is performed for an audience, sometimes spectacularly, and is designed to convey a message of terror from state authorities to the Papuan public. It is part of a larger strategy of domination by the Indonesian state, he says, in which the practice of torture is sanctioned and part of policy.

Talking Indonesia: indigenous peoples' rights