Human rights defenders to receive four protections under the Draft Human Rights Bill — what are they?

Jakarta, Kompas.com – Human rights activists will receive four protections to be provided for in the revision of Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights. In the draft revision of the Human Rights Law, the term ‘human rights activists’ is not used; instead, ‘human rights defenders’ is defined in Article 1, paragraph (14). ‘A human rights defender is any individual and/or group who carries out peaceful and/or non-violent activities for the protection, promotion, enforcement, fulfilment and respect of human rights, for themselves and collectively,’ reads Article 1, paragraph (14) of the draft revision to the Human Rights Law downloaded from the official website of the Ministry of Human Rights, on Friday 22 May 2026. In Article 116, paragraph (1), human rights defenders will also receive protection in carrying out their activities, whether in litigation or non-litigation. Furthermore, in Article 116, paragraph (2) of the draft revision to the Human Rights Law, four protections for human rights defenders are set out, namely: ‘Protection and fulfilment of the rights of human rights defenders who become witnesses or victims shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of the laws and regulations,’ reads Article 116, paragraph (3) of the draft revision. The four human rights defenders include: ‘In this law, this Bill, we recognise the existence of human rights defenders. So with this recognition, there will be no more grey areas,’ said Novita Ilmaris, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Human Rights, at the Human Rights Journalists Class in Bandung, West Java, on Friday 22 May 2026. Novita continued that, up to now, the status and position of human rights defenders have often lacked clear legal certainty. Therefore, special provisions in the HAM Bill are considered important so that human rights advocacy activities gain legitimacy and state protection. Novita said that recognition of human rights defenders also signals a change in the state’s perspective on human rights advocacy activities.