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ASEAN Regional Coalition to POLITICAL PROFILE & CASE STUDY #StopDigitalDictatorship INDONESIA 2023 Political Overview Parliamentary Presidential system in theory, semi-authoritarian regime in practice. Head of Government President Joko Widodo #FreeFatiaHaris �� CASE STUDY WHEN Digital Dictatorship used to silence Indonesian activists ﬁghting for corporate accountability and climate justice… 20 August 2021 (content posted); 22 September 2021 (charged); 13 November 2023 (sentences administered); 8 January 2024 (acquittal) WHERE WHO �� Fatia Maulidiyanti, an Indonesian HRD, and coordinator of KontraS Haris Azhar, an Indonesian HRD, educator, and ED of Lokataru Foundation Blok Wabu, Intan Jaya, Papua (gold-rich land that Fatia and Haris were raising awareness about) HOW ⚠ How Digital Dictatorship has caused the violation of Fatia and Haris’ human rights: WHY/WHAT �� Targeted by authorities for releasing a YouTube video featuring them discussing ways in which gold mining corporations and the Indonesian military were complicit in exploitative practices at the Blok Wabu site in Intan Jaya, Papua. �� Fatia and Haris assured that their data was well-researched and backed up by various studies performed by multiple CSOs. Nevertheless, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs accused them of spreading false news, and defamation. Fatia and Haris were charged with slander and defamation (under Articles 310 and 311 of the Criminal Code) and for violating the amended Electronic Information and Transaction (EIT) Law (Article 45(3)). ∙ �� Fatia: Sentenced ∙ �� Both faced judicial harassment for many years. Both were acquitted in early 2024. �� Haris: to 3 years and 6 months Sentenced to 4 years in prison. Fined in prison. Fined 500,000 rupiah. 1,000,000 rupiah Haris Azhar Malaysia Brunei Indonesian HRD, educator, and ED of Lokataru Foundation Siangapore Indonesia Fatia Maulidiyanti Indonesian HRD, and coordinator of KontraS Manushya Foundation, Joint Statement Indonesia: Solidarity for Human Rights Defenders Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar, (22 November 2023), available at: https://www.manushyafoundation.org/fatiaharisglobalsolidarity Arrests, litigation, and the other forms of harassment mentioned in this case study are just some examples of how Digital Dictatorship Forum-Asia & KontraS, Indonesia: Human rights groups celebrate the acquittal of has affected the individual(s) mentioned, as well as Southeast Asian human rights defenders Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar, calls for repeal of society as a whole. HRDs and/or journalists, including the one(s) in this defamation laws, (2024), available at: case study, often perpetually targeted by Digital Dictatorship in 90https://www.forum-asia.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Joint-Statement-Indon Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Laware Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia numerous ways that go beyond just what is discussed here. esia-Fatia-Haris-2024.pdf

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Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia March 2024

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Language

English

Topic

Digital Rights
Digital Surveillance
Information Operation
Internet Restrictions

Author(s)

MANUSHYA

Date Published: Mar 8, 2024

Abstract: Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia March 2024 Whether we like it or not, we are living through a pivotal moment for the future of human rights. This includes the issue of our digital rights, and the question of our online freedoms. In places like Southeast Asia, where the majority of its peoples are experiencing immense threats to their online and offline freedoms, at the hands of opportunistic governments and corporations, this is especially prevalent. The digital space has become an integral part of human life, and is still growing in its influence over our world. Accordingly, if our freedoms in the digital space are endangered, our freedoms overall are endangered as well.

It is understandable to feel powerless while possessing this knowledge. But it is not enough to just know about the forces acting against our human rights, and understand that they are dangerous. If we truly want to create a safer, more equitable, more liberated world - which we all know, deep down, is possible - we must understand these forces, and act accordingly. We must equip ourselves with knowledge about what governments, corporations, and other powers that be are doing, alongside demanding our rights to freedom. The powers that be have weaponised the online and digital space, as well as the law, against the people that these things are supposed to serve and protect. It is our right to protect ourselves with research, knowledge, advocacy, and the power of the people. When we understand the powers we are up against, fighting back will become less daunting.

This is what our report, titled Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia, is for. Join us in powering ourselves with knowledge, in order to compel ourselves to action!

As always, our work is rooted in decolonial, feminist, intersectional values, with historically marginalised people at the centre. Thus, this work was a collaboration between a coalition of groups oriented in these values: ALTSEAN-Burma, Cambodian Center for Human Rights, ELSAM, Free Expression Myanmar, Foundation for Media Alternatives, ILGA Asia, Manushya Foundation, The Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network, SAFEnet, Viet Tan, and Women’s Peace Network. What is the ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship? The ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship was established in 2020, by human rights and digital rights activists from Southeast Asia, on a mission to decolonize digital rights and restore our online democracies.

Together, we stand in solidarity with one another, with people from the Global Majority, resisting and pushing back against authoritarian governments and complicit tech companies.

We tell our realities from the ground, and we develop solutions together.

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Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia March 2024

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