Ministry of Human Rights establishes permanent fund for human rights and democracy in revised Human Rights Law
JAKARTA, Kompas.com — The Ministry of Human Rights (Kemenham) has included provisions for a permanent fund to promote human rights and democracy in the revision of the Human Rights Law.
Special Advisor to the Minister of Human Rights Feri Kusuma said the permanent fund is a breakthrough to support human rights initiatives and public participation.
“The Ministry of Human Rights proposed the permanent fund to also support public participation in human rights work,” Feri said during a public consultation on the Human Rights Law revision at the ministry’s Jakarta office on Monday, 25 May 2026.
However, he did not elaborate on the technical management of the fund.
“Now, how does the concept work? We will provide more details later,” he said.
In the draft Human Rights Bill obtained by Kompas.com, the permanent fund is outlined in Articles 121(1) to (5), which state:
“(1) The government shall provide a permanent fund for the promotion of human rights and democracy;
The permanent fund referred to in paragraph (1) is intended for public participation in promoting human rights and democracy;
The permanent fund for promoting human rights and democracy, as mentioned in paragraph (1), originates from: the National Budget; Regional Budget; proceeds from non-tax state revenue from law enforcement; and other legitimate sources not binding as per applicable laws;
Further provisions regarding the collection, utilisation, allocation, and management of the permanent fund for promoting human rights and democracy shall be regulated by Presidential Regulation.”
The government has assured that the Human Rights Law revision will recognise and protect human rights defenders from criminalisation.
“In the law, this draft bill, we recognise Human Rights Defenders. Therefore, with this recognition, there will be no more ambiguity,” said Ministry of Human Rights Secretary-General Novita Ilmaris at a Human Rights Journalist Class in Bandung, West Java, on Friday, 22 May 2026.