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Transparency International: Indonesia crackdown on protest is dangerous erosion of civic space

Transparency International strongly condemns the Indonesian government’s violent response to peaceful protests and is calling for the authorities to uphold their human rights obligations, protect freedom of expression and association, and end disinformation campaigns that target civil society organisations.

At least ten people have died and hundreds been injured over the past week in the anti-government protests, according to news reports. Three leading civil society activists remain detained without warrants or clear legal status and live protest broadcasts on TikTok have been banned.

Our colleagues in Transparency International Indonesia have been targeted by digital misinformation attacks, believed to be co-ordinated by pro-government ‘buzzer’ networks, that seek to undermine their credibility as an independent civil society voice speaking out against corruption and misuse of power.

François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International, said:

“The Indonesian government’s violent crackdown on protest is a dangerous erosion of civic space - the right to hold governments to account where they fall short is fundamental to healthy democracies. We stand with our colleagues in Indonesia who are bravely continuing their work to challenge corruption and champion good governance. We are calling on the Indonesian authorities to immediately end the violence and commit to independent investigations into protest-related abuses, halt disinformation campaigns against civil society organisations, and ensure the media can report freely.”

Indonesia scored 37 out of 100 in Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index, an annual ranking of countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. Despite a modest rise in its score from the previous year, corruption in the country remains systemic, as shrinking civic space, political interference in its anti-corruption agency and judiciary, and state capture of natural resource and infrastructure projects continue unchecked.

Transparency International Indonesia is warning that unless the government commits to bold reforms to restore institutional independence, safeguard civic freedoms, and embed integrity in development and climate policies, it risks entrenching corruption as the biggest barrier to justice, equality, and sustainable progress.

Spokespeople are available in Indonesia. For press inquiries and interview requests, please contact: Transparency International Press Office: [email protected]

Notes to editors: