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In Dialogue with Indonesia, Experts of the Human Rights Committee Commend Measures Promoting Women’s Political Participation, Raise Questions on Air and Water Pollution, and on Excessive Use of Force against Indigenous Papuans
12 March 2024
High Commissioner’s global update of human rights concerns
PRESS RELEASES
SUBCOMMISSION ON PROMOTION AND
PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS CONTINUES REVIEW OF ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSES AROUND THE WORLD
PRESS RELEASES
WORKING GROUP ON ENFORCED OR INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCES
CONCLUDES SIXTY-NINTH SESSION
The Human Rights Committee today concluded its consideration of the second periodic report of Indonesia on how it implements the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with Committee Experts commending measures promoting women’s political participation, and raising questions on air and water pollution, and on extrajudicial killings of and excessive use of force against indigenous Papuans.
A Committee Expert noted that the State party had continued to adopt measures for women. The recent elections showed progress in efforts to promote the representation of women in political life. What temporary special measures had been implemented to strengthen women’s participation in political, economic, social and cultural life?
Another Expert said Indonesia was one of the world’s top 10 polluters. There were high levels of air pollution in Indonesia. What initiatives were being taken to reduce air pollution and its consequences? The Committee was also concerned about mining activities leading to water pollution. Reportedly, more than half of Indonesia’s rivers were polluted. How was the State party addressing this?
Several Experts expressed concern about numerous reports of extrajudicial killings of and excessive use of force against indigenous Papuans. Why had the State party not conducted public investigations into the killings, or released the findings of internal investigations?
Tri Tharyat, Deputy Minister for Multilateral Affairs of Indonesia and head of the delegation, said Indonesia, the world's third-largest democracy, had recently conducted a free and fair general election. There had been a sharp increase in elected women parliamentarians, from 8.8 per cent in 1999 to 37.07 per cent in 2024. The delegation added that there had been an increase in Indonesia’s gender empowerment index over the reporting period. Until 2024, the Government had implemented the gender development plan, promoting women’s increased participation in private companies.
Indonesia prioritised sustainable agriculture and forestry practices, the delegation said. The State party had published a long-term strategy for climate resilience and was implementing policies to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. The Government was promoting the right to safe drinking water, investing in the development of drinking water facilities and water quality monitoring mechanisms across the State. There were also policies in place to improve air quality in the greater Jakarta area, including planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide and imposing administrative sanctions on polluters.
The delegation said the Government worked to hold all officials accountable for human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings. The Government’s accountability mechanism had recently investigated an incident involving deaths in Papua in 2022. All six soldiers involved in this incident had been convicted of premeditated murder and charged in civilian courts. All ministries were obliged to convey information publicly, except for dossiers on cases of gross human rights violations.
In concluding remarks, Dhahana Putra, Deputy Minister for Human Rights, Ministry of Law and Human Rights of Indonesia, said engagement with the Committee was pivotal for identifying areas of improvement and means of addressing challenges. The State party would consider the Committee’s recommendations in formulating its next national action plan on human rights. Indonesia was committed to enhancing the protection of human rights domestically.
Tania María Abdo Rocholl, Committee Chairperson, in concluding remarks, expressed appreciation for the professionalism and dedication of the Indonesian delegation. Concerns had been raised regarding the independence of the judiciary; abortion rights; the death penalty; the rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees; prohibition of torture; freedom of religious belief; the right to peaceful assembly; and the rights of children and indigenous peoples, among others. The Committee was determined to ensure the highest possible level of implementation of the Covenant in Indonesia
The delegation of Indonesia was made up of representatives of the Office of the Vice President; Executive Office of the President; National Police of Indonesia; Ministry of Communication and Informatics; Ministry of Law and Human Rights; Cabinet Secretariat; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The Human Rights Committee’s one hundred and fortieth session is being held from 4 to 28 March 2024. All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage. Meeting summary releases can be found here. The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.
The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. this afternoon to begin its consideration of the eighth periodic report of the United Kingdom (CCPR/C/GBR/8).
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