Human Rights Commission Pushes for Stronger Rights Amid Development

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) stressed that human rights protection must serve as the primary foundation of every national development policy, amid growing challenges from economic change, digitalization, and agrarian conflicts.

Strengthening human rights protection is considered crucial to ensure development proceeds democratically, inclusively, and sustainably.

Komnas HAM Chairperson Anis Hidayah said Indonesia’s human rights dynamics are increasingly complex, extending beyond civil and political rights to include welfare, the environment, justice, and the protection of vulnerable groups.

“The human rights situation in 2025 shows that respect, protection, fulfillment, enforcement, and advancement of human rights are prerequisites for democratic, inclusive, and sustainable development. Therefore, human rights must be the primary foundation of every national development policy,” Anis said in a press statement in Jakarta on Thursday, July 9, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Throughout 2025, Komnas HAM received 3,003 complaints of alleged human rights violations. The right to welfare was the most frequently reported issue, followed by the rights to justice and to security.

Komnas HAM noted that agrarian conflicts remain the most dominant human rights issue. Disputes over land, natural resources, and living space continue to fuel tensions between communities, corporations, and the state, requiring resolutions that prioritize respect for human rights.

In the employment sector, the digital economic transformation has created new challenges, with informal and app‑based workers still facing limited social and legal protection. Komnas HAM is urging stronger policies to safeguard workers’ rights in these sectors.

The commission also highlighted the importance of protecting freedom of expression, assembly, and opinion. According to Anis, demonstrations throughout 2025 provided momentum to strengthen conflict prevention, improve the professionalism of state officials, and enhance accountability in the use of state authority.

Freedom of religion and belief also continues to face challenges in several regions. Rejection of houses of worship, administrative obstacles, and intolerant practices underscore the need for regulatory improvements to guarantee equal protection of rights for all citizens.

Komnas HAM further warned that the rapid development of digital technology and artificial intelligence poses new challenges to human rights protection, particularly regarding privacy, personal data security, and the risk of digital exploitation. Human rights‑based governance of the digital space is therefore considered a crucial agenda for the future.

Protection of vulnerable groups remains a priority.

Komnas HAM noted that women, children, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and migrant workers continue to face discrimination, violence, and barriers to accessing public services and justice. (Misni Parjiati)