2025-11-12
As President Prabowo Subianto visits Australia this week, we must not let diplomatic pleasantries overshadow serious human rights concerns. Indonesia is a friend of Australia and friends must be prepared to share hard truths, each way.
We are deeply troubled by reports that 959 people, including 295 minors, have been charged following peaceful protests in Indonesia in August 2025. The National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia documented hundreds of injuries and arbitrary arrests during police crackdowns. We call for the immediate release of all detained protesters and accountability for police brutality.
We acknowledge the many achievements of Indonesia in the decades since serious democratic reforms were initiated. We also acknowledge Indonesia’s leadership in the non-aligned movement including its leading Australia by acceding to the Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons.
While acknowledging these and other achievements there continue to be grave concerns about the ongoing human rights situation in West Papua, including restrictions on press freedom, peaceful assembly, the use of arbitrary force and the right to self-determination for Indigenous Papuans.
We join with many in urging President Prabowo to abandon the designation of Suharto as a national hero. His regime was responsible for mass killings, arbitrary detention, and gross human rights violations in East Timor, West Papua, and Aceh.
Australia’s cruel 2014 ban on refugees from Indonesia must be lifted. It is not the act of a friend and neighbor to so blatantly ignore international law and Indonesia knows the cost of this.
Australia's relationship with Indonesia should be built on shared values of human rights and democracy. The Prime Minister must raise these issues directly with President Prabowo during this visit.
Human rights are not negotiable and friends acknowledge this as we work together for a more peaceful and respectful world.