Komnas HAM Denies Involvement in Human Rights Bill, Warns Draft Risks Political Interference

JAKARTA — The debate over the Human Rights Law revision has intensified after the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) denied the Ministry of Law and Human Rights’ claim that it was involved in drafting the Human Rights Bill (RUU HAM).

Komnas HAM Chair Anis Hidayah stated that the commission was never involved in substantive discussions or drafting of the RUU HAM from the outset.

‘Komnas HAM firmly denies the claim. The commission was not involved in drafting the RUU HAM at any stage,’ Anis said in a written statement on Tuesday (26 May 2026).

Anis added that Komnas HAM even struggled to obtain the initial draft of the Human Rights Law revision.

She noted that the exclusion of Komnas HAM contradicts international principles on the governance of national human rights institutions, known as the Paris Principles.

‘The exclusion of Komnas HAM violates the Paris Principles — international standards governing national human rights institutions — which require such bodies to have broad mandates, institutional independence, and full freedom to operate without political interference,’ she said.

Anis recalled that for the past decade, Komnas HAM has maintained the highest accreditation from the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).

She warned that the bill could undermine Indonesia’s international credibility.

‘The draft Human Rights Bill, which diminishes Komnas HAM’s functions and authority, risks damaging Indonesia’s credibility as the current president of the UN Human Rights Council,’ she said.