The United Nations expressed their concern Thursday, December 8 after a revision of the penal code in Indonesia, several new articles of which appear "
incompatible with fundamental freedoms and human rights
".
While welcoming the effort to "
modernize
" the Indonesian legal framework, which dated back to the Dutch colonial era, the United Nations office in Indonesia is alarmed by many points in the text approved on Tuesday by the parliament of the archipelago of South East Asia.
"
Certain articles have the potential to criminalize journalistic work and hamper press freedom
," he said in a statement.
Others will have a discriminatory effect on “
women, young girls, boys and (members of) sexual minorities
”.
Entry into force in three years
Articles could “
negatively affect sexual and reproductive health rights, the right to privacy, and exacerbate gender-based violence and violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity,
” the office continues.
Furthermore, they could “
legitimize negative social attitudes against members of religious minorities (…) and lead to violence against them
”.
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The new penal code, which should come into force in three years, notably punishes extramarital sexual relations as well as the cohabitation of unmarried couples.
These new articles also risk endangering the LGBTQ community, in the country which does not allow same-sex marriage.
The code prohibits anyone from "
showing or offering
" contraceptives, such as condoms, to minors under the age of 18.
It also risks limiting political and religious rights, with several new articles on blasphemy, already a crime in Indonesia, expanding its definition.
The reform also punishes with a maximum of four years in prison the dissemination of an ideology "
contrary to the Pancasila
" - the official Indonesian ideology, which emphasizes unity and respect for ethnic minorities and the six official religions.
Journalists may also be prosecuted for publishing information “
which may incite public unrest
”.
And he reinstates in the code a prison sentence for "
insulting the president
".
The United States said it was concerned about a backsliding on human rights and warned of the possible economic consequences of implementing the code in Indonesia.
Australia said it was “
seeking clarification
” on the new text.