Natalia Santi – Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard visited Indonesia on March 4-7. The visit was part of a global campaign against authoritarian practices that have been increasing in a number of countries, including Indonesia.

On Friday March 7, Callamard ended her visit by meeting with officials at the Attorney General's Office. The meeting discussed the importance of the prosecutor's office resolving cases of gross human rights violations and preventing the criminalisation of human rights defenders.

The day before, she met the chief justice and other judges of the Supreme Court. During the meeting, they discussed the need to maintain judicial independence from the threat of authoritarian practices. Callamard highlighted how this threat has also occurred in other countries, such as the United States.

"I visited Indonesia in the context of a global campaign against authoritarian practices in various parts of the world", Callamard said. She also stressed that global resistance must be carried out to fight human rights violations and bad governance by world leaders.

Human rights violations in Indonesia

Callamard noted that authoritarian practices in Indonesia have increased in recent years. She highlighted the rise in human rights violations and the militarisation in civilian spaces. According to Callamard, Indonesia has long been a place where human rights violations have not been fully resolved.

In meetings with various authorities, Amnesty International called for an end to impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations. "We are pushing for cases of gross human rights violations to be immediately investigated, including the murder of students in 1998", she said.

Callamard also paid her respects to the families of victims who continue to fight for justice. She highlighted the role of Kamisan (weekly Thursday actions in front of the State Palace) as a form of consistency in the struggle for human rights.

Criminalisation and violence in Papua

During her visit, Callamard met with victims of human rights violations, including those who participated in the Dark Indonesia demonstrations and protests in Papua. Amnesty International has documented cases of torture, extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detention that are still occurred.

"Last year, we noted a case of torture that took the life of the victim. Thirteen [military] officers were allegedly involved, but no one had been tried", she said, stressing that justice must be upheld.

Callamard also called for an end the criminalisation of peaceful actions, including protests on climate change. She said that the law should in fact protect people who fight for the public interest.

Indonesia and global solidarity

Callamard also highlighted the importance of Indonesia in building global solidarity against authoritarianism. Ahead of the 70th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, West Java, she invited Indonesia to return to playing the role a leader in fighting oppression.

"In 1955, Asian and African countries gathered in Indonesia to reject colonialism. Now, we must reunite against new forms of oppression", she asserted.

Callamard also criticised US President Donald Trump's policies which threatens human rights on a global scale. She called for Indonesia to collaborate with other countries in opposing these policies.

Hope for the future

While in Jakarta, Callamard met with officials from the Supreme Court, the Attorney General's Office and the Jakarta governor, as well as human rights activists and journalists. Although she is concerned about the trend towards authoritarianism in Indonesia, she remains optimistic about the civil society movement.

"I see hope in women activists, students, and people who remain firm in defending human rights", she said. She also said that she appreciates the commitment of the Jakarta governor who has rejected polygamy policies in his administration.

Callamard stressed that resistance to authoritarianism must continue. "If we let this practice develop, the impact will expand throughout the world", she concluded.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Sekjen Amnesty International Kunjungi Indonesia Bahas HAM".]

Source: https://sinarharapan.id/sekjen-amnesty-international-kunjungi-indonesia-bahas-ham/