SETARA Highlights 10 Business and Human Rights Priorities in Indonesia for 2026

In 2026, the SETARA Institute, in collaboration with the Sustainable-Inclusive Governance Initiative (SIGI), has released a strategic outlook highlighting 10 priorities in business and human rights in Indonesia. A primary focus is the integration of human rights into business activities. SETARA’s Executive Director, Halili Hasan, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the state, businesses, and civil society to ensure corporate responsibility in upholding human rights. A major challenge for Indonesia is the dominance of an extractive economy which heavily uses natural resources. This poses significant human rights risks. According to the National Human Rights Commission data for 2025, corporations are key violators involved in 452 reported cases of human rights complaints. Platform creation for meaningful citizen participation in sustainable and fair economic policy development is crucial. Priority issues include adopting business and human rights principles, promoting responsible carbon trading, and ensuring protection for environmental human rights defenders. Ensuring decent work conditions in extractive sectors and protecting worker rights in labor-intensive sectors are also highlighted. Ensuring the transition to fair energy and green financing, as well as improving access to remedies for victims of business and human rights violations, are key components of the strategy. Opportunities identified include developing compliance regulations through human rights due diligence mechanisms. This aligns with the global trend towards strengthening corporate responsibility according to the UN standards.