Amnesty International’s Secretary-General, Agnes Callamard, was in Indonesia from March 4-7, 2025 as part of a global campaign against the increasing trend of authoritarianism, which she noted is becoming more evident in Indonesia.

On her final day, Callamard met with officials at the Attorney General’s Office to discuss the prosecution of past human rights violations and the need to prevent the criminalization of human rights defenders. The day before, she held talks with the Chief Justice and other Supreme Court justices, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence in resisting authoritarian prressures, citing similar concerns in the United States under Donald Trump’s leadership.

“I came to Indonesia as part of a global campaign against authoritarian practices, a resistance movement to counter Donald Trump and his allies’ attacks on human rights and global governance,” Callamard said at Amnesty International Indonesia’s office in Jakarta on Friday, March 7, 2025.

She highlighted Indonesia’s long history of human rights violations, from 1965 to the present, with many cases remaining unresolved. Amnesty International urged authorities to end impunity and ensure justice for victims, including the 1998 student protest killings. Callamard called for an ad hoc human rights tribunal to address these past atrocities.

During her visit, she also met with victims of human rights violations, including those involved in recent protests such as Indonesia Gelap and demonstrations in Papua.

She criticized the excessive use of force by security forces and the criminalization of peaceful protests, despite legal protections under Anti-SLAPP laws.

“In Papua, we have documented cases of torture, extrajudicial killings, and arbitrary detentions, with no accountability,” Callamard said. “Last year, a documented case of torture led to a death, involving 13 security personnel, yet no one has been brought to justice.”

She urged authorities to end human rights violations and strengthen protections for activists, calling on independent media, civil society, and religious leaders to stand against the rise of authoritarian practices. 

“What may not concern you today could eventually affect many, in Indonesia and beyond,” she said.

Amnesty International also called on Indonesia to join forces with other developing nations to combat authoritarianism globally. Callamard linked this struggle to the upcoming 70th anniversary of the 1955 Asian-African Conference, urging Indonesia to reclaim its leadership role in opposing oppression.

“Seventy years ago, nations gathered in Bandung to reject colonialism and advocate for self-determination and human rights. Today, the world is regressing into oppression, military aggression, and genocide,” she stated. 

“Indonesia must lead once again, rallying nations to declare: ‘This is not the world order we stand for!’”

During her visit, Callamard met with judicial officials, the Jakarta governor, civil society organizations, journalists, and victims of human rights violations. Despite concerns over authoritarian trends, she expressed optimism about the resilience of Indonesian civil society, particularly women’s rights activists, students, and grassroots movements.

She also welcomed Jakarta governor’s commitment to rejecting legislation permitting polygamy.

 “I call on all governments to follow this stance and make it clear that there is no place for polygamy in Indonesia or anywhere in the world,” she concluded.