ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship
#PeoplePower | How Are People Resisting #DigitalDictatorship?
Resisting Repression: People Power Against
the Second Amendment of the ITE Law
The Serious Coalition for Revision of the ITE Law vehemently rejects the Second
Amendment, citing a lack of meaningful public participation and the perpetuation
of articles threatening freedom of expression.36 The coalition also highlighted
the closed nature of the revision process, leaving little room for public involvement
and oversight. This lack of transparency poses a major risk of potentially resulting
in regulations that benefit elites rather than protecting human rights.37
Defying Oppression: The ASEAN Regional
Coalition’s Fight Against Censorship in
the Second Amendment of the ITE Law.38
The
ASEAN
Regional
Coalition
to
Political Rights (ICCPR). Critically, the Second
#StopDigitalDictatorship stands in solidarity with
Amendment of the ITE Law is criticised for
Indonesian civil society, vehemently condemning
lacking transparency, open governance, and
the Indonesian government’s stance on the
meaningful public participation, ultimately failing
criminalisation of defamation, hate speech,
to adhere to the foundational principles crucial
and false news. The coalition advocates for the
for a thriving democratic society. Furthermore,
immediate repeal of these provisions
expressing regret over the lack of
within the Penal Code and the ITE law,
transparency and accountability during
emphasising the imperative to uphold
the revision process, the coalition
the principles of freedom of expression
underscores the persistence of restrictions
as per international human rights law.
on freedom of expression within the Second
The coalition urgently calls on the Government
of Indonesia to fulfil its obligations to uphold,
respect, and protect freedom of expression
and opinion, as outlined in Article 19 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
and the International Covenant on Civil and
80
Amendment of the ITE Law. In the spirit of
true democracy, the coalition advocates for
open discussions to be encouraged, fostering a
diversity of opinions and ensuring that legislative
decisions are well-informed and representative
of the public interest.
Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia