Jakarta – The polemic over the ratification of the Indonesian Military Law (UU TNI) has begun to attract the attention of the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs).
UN Rapporteur and human rights defender activist Mary Lawlor stated on her X account that she was concerned about the ratification of the Draft Law on the TNI (RUU TNI) which she believes will restore the TNI's dwi-fungsi or dual function in Indonesia as it was during the New Order era of former president Suharto.
"Hearing disturbing news about the harassment of the NGO [non-government organisation] Kontras [Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence], reportedly linked to its advocacy against legislative reforms that expand the military's role in domestic affairs", wrote Lawlor on her X account.
"Indonesia must ensure that civil society and human rights defenders can voice their concerns without being prohibited", Lawler continued.
CNN Indonesia has already received authorisation to quote Lawlor's statement on social media.
The ratification of the RUU TNI has triggered strong opposition among civil society groups in Indonesia. The House of Representatives' (DPR) decision to pass the bill triggered student demonstrations in Jakarta and a number of cities in Indonesia.
The demonstrations against the law have also attracted the attention of the foreign media.
The Malaysian new agency Bernama in an article titled Indonesia Passes Military Law Revision Amid Protest noted that demonstrators gathered around the Jakarta parliamentary complex ahead of the enactment of the law by the DPR.
Australian media outlet ABC Net also reported the student demonstrations in an article titled Legislative amendments spark fears of a return to military supremacy in Indonesia as hundreds of protesters descend on parliament.
Saudi Arabia media Arab News also reported on the actions in an article titled Indonesian students lead nationwide protests against controversial military law.
Arab News emphasised that the protests by hundreds of students were because the revisions to the TNI Law are considered to threaten democracy.
Meanwhile, a demonstration rejecting the TNI Law was held again today near the DPR Building in Jakarta.
According to CNN Indonesia's observations, the protesters at the location amounted to around a dozen people as of 4 pm. They stood in a circle in front of the parliamentary complex where they took turns in giving speeches to convey their views.
The demonstration proceeded peacefully, with the protesters holding a free speech forum in front of the parliamentary complex, although this time they came without a command vehicle.
"Hearing disturbing news about the harassment of CSO @KontraS, reportedly linked to its advocacy against recent legislative reform expanding the military's role in domestic affairs. #Indonesia must ensure that civil society & HRDs can voice their legitimate concerns without..." pic.twitter.com/qi7WNTWuVL – Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs (@MaryLawlorhrds) March 26, 2025
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Polemik Pengesahan RUU TNI Masuk Sorotan Pelapor Khusus PBB".]
