UN: Indonesia’s new Laws is a threat to Privacy, Press and Human Rights

indonesian parliament law insider

LI Network

Published on: 09 December 2022 at 20:02 IST

On recent development in south Asia, United Nations has expressed concern over threats to civil liberties posed by Indonesia’s new criminal code, warning the revised laws could result in the erosion of press freedom, privacy and human rights in the world’s third-largest democracy.

Recently Indonesia has approved a legislative overhaul as part of a decades-long process to replace the colonial-era penal code.

The Criminal Code includes laws that make it a crime to insult the President, the national flag, and state institutions. The laws also require people to obtain permission to hold protests and ban the spread of false news and views contrary to the state’s ideology.

Other articles that officials say aim to uphold “Indonesian values” in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country outlaw sex outside marriage, cohabitation between unmarried couples, promote contraception for minors and non- Abortion for rape victims.

“The United Nations is concerned that several articles in the revised Criminal Code violate Indonesia’s international legal obligations with respect to human rights”.

UN local office released statement, “Some articles have the potential to criminalize the act of journalism … others will discriminate against or have a discriminatory effect on women, girls, boys and sexual minorities.” The code may also affect reproductive and privacy rights and lead to increased gender-based violence based on sexual orientation and identity, official added..

Civil society groups have condemned the new laws, saying the changes are a major democratic setback, and pose a particular risk to LGBT people, who may be disproportionately affected by so-called morality currents.

“Same-sex couples cannot marry in Indonesia, so this clause effectively makes all same-sex conduct illegal,” Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

Responding to criticism of the criminal code, Indonesia’s Justice Ministry noted the ethics laws, which will not come into force for another three years, can only be reported by a limited number of parties such as a spouse, parent or child. “Investors and foreign tourists need not worry about investing and traveling in Indonesia, as people’s privacy is still guaranteed by law,” the ministry said in a statement.

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