Former Human Rights Coordinators Acquitted in Defamation Case in Indonesia

Two former coordinators of one of Indonesia’s most prominent human rights organisations have escaped conviction in a defamation case brought by a powerful government minister. While their astonishing acquittal is welcome, the case marked a bleak new low for freedom of expression in one of the world’s largest democracies.

Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti, who had coordinated the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), were accused of defamation by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Luhut’s statements made it clear the case was expressly intended to create a chilling effect and smother civil society criticism of the government. So what is the case about, and why is it so important? Read more: Is Joko Widodo paving the way for a political dynasty in Indonesia? A messy web of mining interests The case related to a 2021 YouTube video in which Haris and Fatia discussed a report published jointly by a group of Indonesian civil society organisation

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