Uploaded June 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Following its transition to democratic rule in the 1990s, Indonesia’s political system has undergone enormous change, including a significant decentralization of power to local authorities and the decreased role of the military in domestic affairs and internal security. In this context, human rights protections have generally improved, including in areas with a history of secessionist movements like Aceh. Non-governmental organizations have also flourished, and many Indonesians now see democracy as part of their national identity.
Despite such significant reforms, Indonesia’s human rights situation needs more progress. Indonesia’s military and police retain a sense of impunity in some parts of the country, most notably in the restive eastern provinces of Papua. A well-documented rise in religious intolerance has also manifested itself in intimidation of and violence toward some religious groups, including Indonesia’s Ahmadiya community and Christians in the West Java province. The State Department’s 2012 Indonesia Country Report on Human Rights Practices reported instances of unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and detention, numerous reports of torture between July 2011 and June 2012 and narrow limitations on the freedom of expression, particularly in areas with pro-independence movements.
This hearing will review Indonesia’s current human rights situation and U.S. foreign policy with a view toward Indonesia’s presidential and parliamentary elections in 2014.
This hearing was recorded on May 23, 2013.
humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/hearings/human-rights-indonesia
Following its transition to democratic rule in the 1990s, Indonesia’s political system has undergone enormous change, including a significant decentralization of power to local authorities and the decreased role of the military in domestic affairs and internal security. In this context, human rights protections have generally improved, including in areas with a history of secessionist movements like Aceh. Non-governmental organizations have also flourished, and many Indonesians now see democracy as part of their national identity.
Despite such significant reforms, Indonesia’s human rights situation needs more progress. Indonesia’s military and police retain a sense of impunity in some parts of the country, most notably in the restive eastern provinces of Papua. A well-documented rise in religious intolerance has also manifested itself in intimidation of and violence toward some religious groups, including Indonesia’s Ahmadiya community and Christians in the West Java province. The State Department’s 2012 Indonesia Country Report on Human Rights Practices reported instances of unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and detention, numerous reports of torture between July 2011 and June 2012 and narrow limitations on the freedom of expression, particularly in areas with pro-independence movements.
This hearing will review Indonesia’s current human rights situation and U.S. foreign policy with a view toward Indonesia’s presidential and parliamentary elections in 2014.
This hearing was recorded on May 23, 2013.
humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/hearings/human-rights-indonesia
