Indonesia: Declaration of Legal Emergency

Following the enactment of new criminal and procedural laws, Indonesia faces worrying developments. The new statutes, purportedly designed to reform the system, in fact, threaten democratic foundations and citizens’ rights. A coalition of civil society groups has condemned the new legislative acts, arguing that they foster authoritarianism and corruption. These laws expand police and other law enforcement powers without appropriate judicial oversight, creating conditions for abuse of power. Furthermore, the discussion and approval process was marked by significant violations of public participation principles, leading to widespread public criticism. In the absence of transparency and consideration of public opinion, these laws are at risk of plunging the country into legal chaos and undermining the achievements of the 1998 reforms. The coalition urgently calls on the President to take action and review these legislative changes to preserve the spirit of reform and democracy in the country.