Indonesia: Digital Repression and Human Rights Abuses

South East Asia Collaborative Policy Network, along with 61 other organizations, condemn the digital crackdown that followed the ongoing national protests in Indonesia from August 25-31, 2025, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 civilians. The protests led to the mass arrests of young human rights defenders, with four being charged under the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE Law) and the Indonesian Penal Code for posting satirical memes and electronic posters calling for protests. Social media companies, including TikTok and Meta, have also been accused of complicity in the repression, with TikTok suspending its live-streaming feature and Meta imposing arbitrary content moderation.

Key Takeaways:

• At least 10 civilians lost their lives during the national protests in Indonesia from August 25-31, 2025.
• Four young human rights defenders have been charged under the ITE Law and the Indonesian Penal Code for their online activities, including posting satirical memes and electronic posters calling for protests.
• Social media companies, including TikTok and Meta, have been accused of complicity in the repression, with TikTok suspending its live-streaming feature and Meta imposing arbitrary content moderation.
• The Indonesian government has blocked 592 social media accounts for sharing provocative content, and Meta has removed a video showing the Chief of Police ordering his subordinates to shoot protesters.
• The government and social media companies have been accused of failing to protect the rights of citizens to freedom of expression and assembly.
• The signatories call on the Indonesian government to immediately release all detainees charged under the ITE Law, and for social media companies to take responsibility for ensuring that Indonesians can exercise their right to speak, assemble, and expose injustice without corporate censorship amplifying state violence.

Statistics:

• At least 10 civilians were killed during the national protests in Indonesia from August 25-31, 2025
• 592 social media accounts have been blocked for sharing provocative content in Indonesia
• 4 young human rights defenders have been charged under the ITE Law and the Indonesian Penal Code for their online activities
• The number of arrests made by the police during the protests has not been specified

Sources:

• South East Asia Collaborative Policy Network (SEA CPN)
• International ARTICLE 19
• Regional/Asia-Pacific Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
• Regional/Asia-Pacific Nationality for All
• ... etc. (all 61 signatory organizations)

Note: The above statistics are based on the information provided in the original text and may not be exhaustive.