Indonesia
As of February 2026, Indonesia’s human rights landscape is navigating a period of significant legislative and political transition. While the country remains a major democratic power in Southeast Asia—and currently holds the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council—international monitors are raising alarms over the "militarization" of civilian life and the implementation of a restrictive new legal code.
The following are the critical human rights issues currently facing Indonesia:
1. The New Criminal Code (KUHP)
As of January 2, 2026, Indonesia’s new Criminal Code is officially in force. While the government describes it as a move away from colonial-era laws, human rights groups have dubbed it a "major blow" to civil liberties due to several provisions:
Insulting State Institutions: Articles 218–220 criminalize "attacking the honor or dignity" of the President or Vice President, while Articles 240–241 punish insults against the government.
Morality Laws: The code criminalizes sex outside of marriage and cohabitation for unmarried couples. While these require a complaint from a family member to prosecute, activists fear they will be used to target the LGBTQ+ community, whose relationships are not legally recognized.+1
Blasphemy and Ideology: The law expands blasphemy offenses and maintains strict penalties (up to 10 years) for spreading ideologies deemed contrary to the state (Pancasila), such as communism or Marxism-Leninism.
2. Escalation in West Papua
The conflict in the Papuan provinces remains Indonesia's most severe humanitarian crisis.
Internal Displacement: As of early 2026, over 105,000 Indigenous Papuans remain internally displaced due to ongoing military operations against separatist groups.
Militarized Infrastructure: The government has been accused of using schools and health centers as military outposts.
Agrarian Conflict: In the Merauke region, massive National Strategic Projects (PSN), such as food estates, have led to the seizure of Indigenous land without meaningful consent. Just last month (January 2026), several Catholic activists were arrested for protesting these land grabs.
3. Suppression of Dissent and Civic Space
The "17+8" Movement: In late 2025 and early 2026, mass protests erupted across 100+ cities over economic inequality and perks for lawmakers. Security forces responded with thousands of arrests and "excessive force," including the use of armored vehicles against protesters.
Digital Surveillance: The government has increasingly utilized the ITE Law (Electronic Information and Transactions) to silence online critics. In early 2026, authorities reportedly asked platforms like TikTok to disable live-streaming features during active protests to curb the spread of information.
Attacks on Journalists: Reprisals against the press have escalated, with reports of Molotov cocktail attacks on news offices (such as Jubi in Papua) and the delivery of "death threats" (like pig heads and dead rats) to investigative reporters at Tempo.
4. Indigenous and Environmental Rights
Land Grabbing: The Indigenous Peoples Alliance (AMAN) reported that throughout 2025, over 3.8 million hectares of customary land were seized for mining, plantations, and "climate projects" (such as carbon credit zones).
Legislative Stagnation: Despite 16 years of advocacy, the Indigenous Peoples Bill (RUU MA)—which would provide legal recognition of ancestral lands—remains stalled in parliament, leaving communities vulnerable to eviction.