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Amnesty International in Geneva for UN review of Indonesia's human rights record

Amnesty International Media Advisory - July 8, 2013

• Indonesia's Ormas Law: A ready weapon against civil society and free speech - Southeast Asian Press Alliance Statement. July 8, 2013
• Indonesia: Passage of Ormas Bill condemned, campaign to oppose the law to continue - Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development Statement. July 4, 2013
• Indonesia: Penalising freedom of association, disrespecting people's aspiration – enactment of the mass organisation law - Asian Human Rights Commission Statement. July 4, 2013
• Indonesia: Ensure safe return home of evicted Shia villagers - Human Rights Watch Statement. June 30, 2013
• Indonesia: Special report on practice of torture in Indonesia released - Asian Human Rights Commission Press Release. June 26, 2013

The Indonesian authorities must tackle entrenched human rights problems, including persistent abuses by the security forces, restrictions on freedoms of expression and religion; and the failure to ensure justice, truth and reparation for past violations. Amnesty International said ahead of the country's review at the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva this week.

As a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), a key UN human rights treaty, Indonesia is this week going through a review of its ICCPR compliance.

"We have seen some progress in Indonesia, but many entrenched human rights issues persist today – or have even gotten worse," said Papang Hidayat, Amnesty International's Indonesia Researcher.

"With Indonesia both emerging as a regional ASEAN leader and about to enter an election year, it is absolutely crucial that tackling these outstanding issues takes top priority for the authorities. We're still receiving steady reports of violations by security forces, while freedoms of expression and religion are stifled through legislation, and many past crimes remain unaddressed."

The official ICCPR review is taking place on Wednesday and Thursday 10-11 July. Amnesty International has made a written submission to the Human Rights Committee and will deliver an oral statement on Monday 8 July focusing on these key human rights issues:

• Serious human rights abuses by state security forces
• Restrictions to freedoms of expression and religion
• Impunity for past violations and abuses

• Indonesia: Amnesty International's Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Committee - June 21, 2013

Indonesia Researcher Papang Hidayat will be in Geneva 8-11 July during the ICCPR review and is available for interviews. To arrange and interview or for more information, please contact Olof Blomqvist, Asia Pacific Press Officer: oblomqvist@amnesty.org, +44 (0) 7904 397 956.

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