Parliament Urges Concrete Protection for Human Rights Defenders, Not Just Condemnations

Deputy Chair of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Dewi Asmara, has emphasised that the state cannot merely condemn acts of violence against human rights defenders. Instead, it must promptly introduce tangible protection through concrete regulations.

During a working meeting with the Ministry of Human Rights on Tuesday (7/4), Dewi highlighted the slow progress in drafting rules for protecting human rights defenders, despite the government’s frequent reactive responses to violence cases.

“We agree that there should be no room for violence in a democratic country. However, as a Minister, a statement of condemnation alone is not enough,” she stated, quoted from a press release received on Tuesday (7/4).

Dewi referred to the case of the hazardous liquid attack on Andrie Yunus as a real example of threats to human rights activists. She assessed that the government’s response has not yet been matched by concrete steps in the form of regulations.

She revealed that, based on the Ministry of Human Rights’ presentation, the achievement in drafting the Draft Ministerial Regulation (Permen) on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders has only reached about 10%.

“When will this regulation be completed comprehensively? We urge it to be made a priority and finalised this month,” stressed the legislator from West Java.

According to Dewi, accelerating the regulation is urgently needed given the high risks faced by activists in the field, from intimidation to violence.

She emphasised that the presence of strong and binding rules constitutes real state protection for human rights defenders, not just statements of stance.

The working meeting is expected to serve as a momentum for the government to accelerate the drafting of regulations, while ensuring that the commitment to human rights protection is realised in concrete and effective policies.