Indonesia - December 2022

A new criminal code passed by Indonesia’s parliament on 6 December has attracted significant domestic and international controversy. The new law criminalizes sex outside of marriage (which includes all LGBTQIA+ relationships, as same sex marriage is illegal) and defamation of the president. It also expands anti-blasphemy laws, which has drawn the most criticism.

Indonesian officials told the New York Times that preparations involved months of conversations with human rights groups. The new laws will take effect in 2025, and deputy minister of law and human rights, Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, encouraged citizens who fear their constitutional rights will be violated to file cases with the Constitutional Court in the interim.

Sources: New York Times, Human Rights Watch