Indonesian activists face long prison terms for defamation

JAKARTA: Two human rights activists in Indonesia were indicted on Monday by the country´s public prosecutor, which sought years-long sentences for both in a defamation case brought against them by a top minister.

Rights groups have criticised Jakarta for what they say is an increasing crackdown on rights defenders in the world´s most populous Muslim-majority country, particularly against critics of the government.

Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar were indicted by the public prosecutor at East Jakarta district court at a hearing on Monday after they were sued in 2021 by Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment.

The case relates to a YouTube conversation between the pair, which included an unreported third person, in which they talked about a report on alleged links between military figures and mining interests in the restive eastern region of Papua. Pandjaitan, a former military general, was allegedly discussed by the two in the video.

The prosecutor sought three-and-a-half years in prison for Maulidiyanti and a 500,000 rupiah ($32) fine, which would add six months prison time if unpaid. They sought four years for Azhar and a one million rupiah fine, with the same conditions attached.

A lawyer for the two, Muhammad Isnur, criticised the decision as further squeezing civic space in Indonesia. “This demand is a form of trampling on the law and a dangerous alarm for democracy, particularly civil liberties in Indonesia,” he said. Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid called for the pair to be immediately released.