Human Rights Watch has pronounced Indonesia’s new criminal code a significant threat to human rights, particularly impacting women, LGBTQ individuals, and religious minorities. Key issues include the criminalization of consensual relationships outside marriage, expanded blasphemy laws, and increased harassment of minorities. Despite these concerns, the government has shown little intent to protect these vulnerable populations, highlighting the urgent need for international attention and action against growing discrimination.
Human Rights Watch has raised alarms regarding Indonesia’s new criminal code, which it claims undermines the fundamental rights of numerous individuals within the nation, particularly affecting marginalized groups such as women, girls, members of the LGBT community, and religious minorities. This concern was articulated in their World Report 2023, highlighting that the new criminal code serves as a tool for government officials aiming to restrict freedoms relating to religion, privacy, and expression. Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the urgent need for President Joko Widodo to safeguard the rights of religious minorities in light of the new regulations. The report elaborates on the code’s provisions, including the criminalization of consensual sex and cohabitation outside of marriage, which raises significant privacy violations and allows government intrusion into personal lives. Additionally, the blasphemy laws have been expanded, now encompassing apostasy as a criminal offense. The report further indicates an increase in violence and intimidation against minority groups, which is exacerbated by hundreds of existing discriminatory local laws, particularly in Muslim-majority areas, with governmental negligence towards the pleas of vulnerable populations. Moreover, ongoing violence in Papua and West Papua has resulted in significant displacement among Indigenous Papuans, with Indonesia’s long-standing restrictions on international rights monitoring impeding accountability. Indonesia’s recent actions at the United Nations Human Rights Council, including voting against discussions regarding the human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang region, were also mentioned as disappointing. As the chair of ASEAN, there are calls for Indonesia to adopt a more active stance in addressing regional human rights abuses, particularly in Myanmar.
The recent passage of Indonesia’s new criminal code, which occurred on December 6, 2022, has stirred significant concern across human rights organizations and marginalized communities. With a detailed examination in Human Rights Watch’s World Report 2023, the implications of the criminal code are understood in the context of increased governmental overreach into personal liberties and freedoms. The legislation’s provisions represent a worrying trend, especially regarding issues of privacy and the autonomy of individuals to make personal decisions, which disproportionately affect marginalized groups. Additionally, the societal climate marked by targeting of minorities through discriminatory regulations complicates the human rights landscape in the country.
In summary, Indonesia’s new criminal code poses a serious threat to the fundamental rights of its citizens, particularly for marginalized community members who face increased discrimination and repression. The responses from both the government and international bodies will be pivotal in determining the future of human rights practices in Indonesia. Continued scrutiny and active advocacy will be essential to combat the adverse effects of this legislation and to promote the protection of vulnerable groups within the nation.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
