Statement by the Delegation of the Republic of Indonesia at the Panel Discussion on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Peaceful Protest 48th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, 29 September 2021
President,
Indonesia rejects the baseless allegations just expressed by Vanuatu.
In Indonesia, the right to peaceful assembly and peaceful protest is explicitly guaranteed under our Constitution, as well as under our prevailing laws and regulations.
As a robust democracy, the Government of Indonesia is committed to safeguard the right to peaceful protest, including those conducted amidst the enactment of emergency measures to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.
Consequently, the State has consistently facilitated these rights – both at national and sub national levels, even under the current pandemic.
It involves all branches of government, including monitoring by national institutions such the Komnas HAM and Indonesia’s Ombudsman.
For example, between September 2020 to May 2021 -in the middle of a global pandemic-, in a span of just 9 months alone, more than 10 wide scale demonstrations have been facilitated by the national and sub national authorities in the Provinces of Papua and West Papua.
Before the pandemic, this number is much, much higher.
On the other hand, countless online discussions on a range of issues that are critical to government policies, including regarding Papua have been held, without any interruption.
These facts speak volumes and negate any baseless allegations, such as what was just expressed by the delegation Vanuatu, alleging that Indonesia imposes undue restrictions to the right to the freedom of peaceful protest.
Panelists,
In this time of pandemic, taking into account the deep disparity amongst the developed and developing world in securing public health with regards to access to COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics , what do you think is the best yard-stick to measure necessity and proportionality with regard to public assembly restrictions and peaceful protest.
I thank you.
