Renew Europe calls on Indonesian authorities to remove all controversial elements from their proposed criminal code

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament initiated an urgency resolution on the proposed criminal code of Indonesia, today adopted by MEPs, calling on the Indonesian authorities to repeal all legal provisions restricting fundamental rights and freedoms, and to bring all its laws into line with international human rights standards. The proposed law allows for discrimination on the basis of gender, religion and sexual orientation, as well as discrimination against minorities.

Renew Europe Vice-President, MEP Katalin Cseh (Momentum, Hungary), who led the negotiations on the adopted text, said:

“The proposed criminal code of Indonesia is the product of a decades-long battle to overhaul the country’s criminal code that dates back to the days of Dutch colonial rule. The draft text, however, contains a number of highly contentious articles that discriminate against women, the LGBTI community and religious minorities; all of which clearly violate fundamental human rights and disregards Indonesia’s international obligations.

The draft bill in its current form would introduce laws that criminalise contraception, extramarital relationships, and abortion; provisions that are nothing short of unacceptable in a democracy. The European Union has a responsibility to uphold democratic rights and principles all across the world. By calling on Indonesian authorities to revise the proposed text and to remove all controversial elements, we hope that Indonesia will continue dialogue in a spirit that ensures that the new Criminal Code solidifies the rule of law, instead of fuelling social division.”

The resolution also highlights the importance of including binding and enforceable provisions on respect for human rights in the EU-Indonesia Free Trade Agreement that is currently being negotiated.

ENDS