Indonesia Human Rights Defenders Face New Vetting Plan

Indonesia human rights defenders face new challenges as the Indonesian government announced plans to amend the 1999 Human Rights Law on April 30, 2026. According to Human Rights Watch, these amendments would allow officials to determine who qualifies as a recognized human rights defender, which could infringe on vital rights such as freedom of expression and association, putting defenders at risk of increased persecution. Amid public backlash following a brutal acid attack on rights activist Andrie Yunus by four Indonesian soldiers on March 12 in Jakarta, Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai revealed plans to form a 'team of assessors.' This team would be responsible for deciding if an individual is a 'genuine' rights activist. In response to criticism from human rights organizations, Pigai attempted to clarify that the proposed amendments aim to define human rights defenders and enhance their legal protections against criminalization. Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, stated, "It’s not up to President Prabowo Subianto’s government to decide who is or isn’t a human rights defender." She emphasized the need for Indonesian authorities to safeguard all individuals advocating for human rights rather than targeting critics under the pretext of vetting 'genuine' rights defenders. Pigai emphasized that only those defending the public interest—especially vulnerable groups without personal or financial motives—would receive legal protection. He indicated that the assessment team would comprise government officials, civil society members, and law enforcement to evaluate potential human rights activists. Notably, he mentioned that activists receiving compensation for their work would not qualify, potentially jeopardizing the effectiveness of NGOs that promote human rights. According to Muhammad Isnur, chair of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (Yayasan Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Indonesia, YLBHI), the government lacks the authority to vet human rights defenders, particularly since it is often officials who perpetrate human rights violations. "The consequences would be dangerous," Isnur warned. "It is the state that needs to be scrutinized regarding its own human rights practices." Victor Mambor, a journalist with the Jayapura-based newspaper Jubi, noted that the recognition of a human rights defender should stem from public acknowledgment, not from government endorsement. "Those who work for humanity can be termed human rights defenders without needing state validation," he stated. Pramono Ubaid Tanthowi, a member of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia, Komnas HAM), indicated that threats against human rights defenders frequently involve state officials and corporations. Any official labeling of individuals would represent a significant conflict of interest. Komnas HAM is equipped to recognize defenders when necessary, such as for obtaining state protection or medical aid. The proposed revisions to the Human Rights Law also aim to diminish the authority and independence of Komnas HAM, including a potential merger with the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (Komisi Perlindungan Anak Indonesia, KPAI), which would further dilute their power. Pigai mentioned that the amendments are still under review, with a final draft expected to be presented to the House of Representatives for a vote in June or July. These proposed changes raise alarm, as President Prabowo has consistently denounced critics as "foreign lackeys." Human Rights Watch highlights that the government is working on a Bill combating Disinformation and Foreign Propaganda, which could permit authorities to label certain information as 'foreign propaganda.' Such vague definitions raise concerns about potential censorship and misuse, allowing the government to classify any dissent as a threat to sovereignty. In addition to the acid attack on Yunus, activists in Indonesia have faced ongoing threats. In July 2024, unidentified gunmen shot human rights lawyer Yan Christian Warinussy after he attended a corruption trial involving government officials in Manokwari. Additionally, Adetya Pramandira and Fathul Munif—affiliated with the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia, WALHI) and Thursday Action (Aksi Kamisan), respectively—were arrested in November 2025 in Semarang, Central Java, under accusations of instigating anti-corruption protests. According to the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, anyone working to promote and defend human rights qualifies as a human rights defender. It asserts that all individuals have the right to engage in human rights advocacy, provided it is done peacefully. Restricting individuals from participating in human rights efforts—such as by preventing payment to professional human rights defenders—would violate fundamental rights recognized by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Indonesia is a signatory, as well as other international human rights agreements. "Prabowo should decisively reject any initiatives aimed at limiting the rights of those who promote human rights," Ganguly argued. "The government must acknowledge that advocating for human rights, including criticism of state abuses, ultimately benefits society as a whole." For more information, visit Human Rights Watch at [www.hrw.org](https://www.hrw.org) and the UN Human Rights Office at [www.ohchr.org](https://www.ohchr.org). For further details on human rights issues, explore [www.globemigrant.com/human-rights-indonesia](http://www.globemigrant.com/human-rights-indonesia) and [www.globemigrant.com/indonesia-rights-defenders](http://www.globemigrant.com/indonesia-rights-defenders). Source: https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/05/19/indonesia-plan-to-vet-human-rights-defenders

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