Indonesia, as it is always known as the ‘Diamond of the Equator’, is a country with the third largest democracy in the modern world, and the journey of democracy there was not always smooth. The primary barrier to democracy includes ongoing human rights violations, rooted in historical events and persisting to this day, which challenge the full protection of the citizens’ fundamental rights. Especially in 2024, which stands out as one of Indonesia’s most politically unstable years due to the bitter presidential race and renewed concerns about human rights, with the most urgent being:

Suppression of Freedom of Expression and the Deletion of History

Recently, at the end of the second term of President Jokowi Dodo (2019-2024), the freedom of expression has been decreased, to the level that the Freedom House called ‘partly free’. The main issue is the set of laws in UU ITE that easily categorize someone as liable for imprisonment under accusations of spreading hoaxes and hate speech if their views oppose the government’s main narrative. Freedom of expression has been restricted across all media platforms, including mass media such as television, media outlets, and social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram.

 One of the sensitive topics facing restrictions on freedom of expression is criticism of changes to national law that enable nepotism, granting President Joko Widodo’s sons and family easy access to high government positions across provinces in Indonesia.  The issue made many students, along with civil society organizations, come to the streets of towns and government buildings in Indonesia to show their anger, disagreement, and disappointment with both unlawful practice and the monopoly of the state by certain family dynasties.

The construction of Indonesia’s new capital city on Kalimantan Island, along with the displacement of native ethnic communities and the criminalization of environmental and human rights activists in the area, remains a key human rights concern. People protested across various media platforms after the first Independence Day commemoration held there, condemning the expulsion of native ethnic people to make way for a new capital city primarily marketed to foreign investors and accessible mainly to Indonesian oligarchs and elites.

Human rights violations in Papua have consistently appeared in Indonesia’s annual human rights reports. The issues in Papua are similar to those previously seen in the Province of Aceh. Some militia groups in Papua seek to separate from the Republic and establish a new state under the Organisation of Free Papua. Human rights violations in this area involve the military’s actions against suspected members of the separatist group. This issue was even raised at the United Nations by the Vanuatu delegate.

The Indonesian Ministry of Human Rights noted that the escalation of conflict has resulted in the deaths of six civilians in Papua. The suppression of freedom of expression across various platforms also aligns with efforts to bury past crimes linked to Indonesia’s newly elected president, Prabowo Subianto (2024–present). A former military officer, he has been categorized as a serious human rights violator due to his involvement in the forced disappearance of 13 Indonesian student activists in 1998. These activists remain missing, and those who publicly discuss the issue on media platforms are targeted by the law.

Efforts to erase the past also include the demolition of Rumoh Geudong, a site that bore witness to brutal torture and killings in Aceh Province. The Indonesian military conducted these acts during decades-long operations against civilians suspected of being part of the Free Aceh Movement, a militia group that previously fought for Aceh’s independence based on claims of a distinct historical identity.

1. Discrimination Against Minorities

Ethnic and religious minorities in Indonesia continue to face systemic discrimination, largely rooted in colorism and long-standing prejudice against specific groups. This is evident in detailed reports of verbal and physical harassment experienced by Papuan Indigenous people, whose darker skin tone and association with underdeveloped areas have been normalized as a basis for discrimination. This aligns with ongoing extrajudicial military tensions and atrocities. Similarly, attacks against religious minorities, such as Shia and Ahmadiyya Muslims, by the Sunni Muslim majority have been reported in various regions, including Madura and Nusa Tenggara. Structural discrimination also affects the ethnic Chinese Indonesian minority, who make up only 5% of the population. In economically disadvantaged conditions, they have been subjected to structural racism, with derogatory comparisons to Jews and accusations of being responsible for the nation’s economic difficulties. This stereotype arises from their historical association with trade, economic expertise, and perceived economic dominance.

2. Gender Inequality

Despite the existence of laws and a government ministry dedicated to protecting women’s rights, law enforcement remains insufficient. Gender-based violence against women and girls, including femicide, rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking—continues to be a recurring issue in the news. In some cases, these atrocities are even committed by law enforcers, who are supposed to protect women’s rights and lives.

Gender inequality and the marginalization of women’s rights persist primarily due to traditional and misinterpreted religious beliefs, which have been socially constructed to reinforce the idea that women hold a lower status than men in society, law, and religion. This situation leaves girls and women—especially those with disabilities—among the most vulnerable and unprotected groups.

3. Labour Exploitation

Issues of unsafe working environments and human trafficking remain prevalent, particularly among migrants heading to Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Europe. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has reported that the most vulnerable groups of migrants include women domestic workers in Gulf countries and workers in the international fishing industry. Many documented cases reveal that these workers are subjected to poor and inhumane treatment, especially in international waters, where they remain beyond the reach of legal protection. Women, particularly those who do not speak Arabic, often face abuse from their employers. Addressing these problems requires effective solutions and action at multiple levels by various stakeholders. This includes comprehensive policy reform, empowering civil society, enhancing education and awareness, strengthening international partnerships, and establishing human rights think tanks. These think tanks would conduct in-depth research and analysis, advocate for policy change, engage with communities, build capacities, and raise global awareness.

Conclusion

Despite significant human rights challenges, Indonesia has the potential for transformative change. Through focused policy reforms, a strengthened civil society, increased educational efforts, enhanced international collaboration, and the establishment of a dedicated human rights think tank, the nation can move toward a future where every citizen’s rights are honored and protected. To achieve this, both the government and civil society must work together, as a vibrant democracy thrives when the rights of all its citizens are upheld.