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Commemoration of Women Human Rights Defenders Day: Strengthening Solidarity and Women’s Movements in ASEAN

29 November, 2024 Rakhmat Nurhakim

JAKARTA – The Coalition of Women Human Rights Defenders (PPHAM) organized a public discussion titled “Women Human Rights Defenders: Strengthening Solidarity and Women’s Movements in ASEAN” to commemorate International Women Human Rights Defenders Day 2024, observed every November 29. The event, attended by around 200 participants both in person and online, featured four prominent speakers from Southeast Asia: Prof. Nymia Pimentel (Philippines Alliance Human Rights Advocate), Shivani Verma (OHCHR), Piyanut Kotsan (Amnesty International Thailand), and Theresia Iswarini (Komnas Perempuan). It took place at the Grandhika Iskandarsyah Hotel in Jakarta on Thursday, November 28, 2024.

The discussion highlighted issues of violence against human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders (WHRDs), in Southeast Asia. A joint analysis by Forum Asia and the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) on the situation of human rights defenders in Asia recorded 606 cases of violence against human rights defenders in Southeast Asia from January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. Of these, 33 involved WHRDs.

During the discussion, Laode M. Syarif, Executive Director of KEMITRAAN, emphasized the increasing vulnerability of human rights defenders due to changing political and leadership dynamics in various Southeast Asian countries, which are becoming more repressive. This situation is exacerbated by the return of authoritarian regimes with histories of human rights violations and anti-democratic practices, as seen in the Philippines.

“Violence by authorities against human rights defenders, women activists, and environmental activists persists, especially when legal protections for human rights defenders are absent,” he stated.

This dire situation was echoed by the Chairperson of Komnas Perempuan, who noted that threats or attacks on WHRDs by state and non-state actors reflect the lack of recognition of WHRDs’ roles. The state should acknowledge their existence and protect their advocacy work through legal frameworks.

“Threats against WHRDs, whether from state or non-state actors, occur in various spaces, making it crucial to recognize their courage and persistence, along with collective efforts to support and provide better protection,” said Andy Yentriyani.

Challenges Faced by Women Human Rights Defenders

The grim reality for WHRDs is illustrated in a study titled “Grey Notes on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, 2014–2024” by KEMITRAAN and the Women Human Rights Defenders Caucus. The study found that threats and attacks against WHRDs are often linked to their gender identity, including:

  1. Sexualized threats or intimidation,
  2. Attacks targeting women’s dual roles as mothers or wives and human rights defenders,
  3. Character assassination based on stereotypes of ideal versus immoral women,
  4. Undermining credibility based on marital status,
  5. Rejection rooted in morality, religion, culture, or family honor,
  6. Gender- and sexuality-based discrimination, and
  7. Exploitation and politicization of women’s identities.

As a result, WHRDs are particularly vulnerable, as attacks often target their bodies and sexuality, which are central to societal judgments in patriarchal cultures.

Violence, including sexual violence, also affects women journalists. Ira Rahmawati from AJI Indonesia’s Sexual Violence Task Force revealed that 2023 research found that 82.6% of 852 women journalists across 34 Indonesian provinces had experienced sexual violence during their careers.

The Condition of Human Rights Defenders and WHRDs in ASEAN

Amid trends of military dominance, authoritarianism, and oligarchic consolidation in ASEAN, threats to human rights defenders are expected to increase. Historical patterns of abuse are feared to resurface.

In Indonesia, the expanded role of armed forces in civilian governance, reminiscent of the New Order era, poses a serious threat to human rights defenders, especially in conflict-prone areas. Military involvement in projects like the Food Estate in Merauke, Papua, has led to increased human rights violations and abuses against civil society.

“In a militarized environment, civil society is silenced. Military presence suppresses people’s voices against the injustices in Maybrat and other forms of violence,” said Lani Faan of ELSHAM Papua.

In the Philippines, under Duterte and Marcos Jr., state-sponsored operations justified as anti-terrorism efforts have involved military campaigns and psychological attacks, such as threats, harassment, and fear-mongering. Policies like the anti-protest law and the formation of special forces for Duterte’s war on drugs have led to extrajudicial killings of thousands without due process.

“When their rights are violated, women take action and express themselves through peaceful assembly. However, state apparatus intervenes to block their civil and political rights,” said Nymia Pimentel-Simbulan.

Key Recommendations

In response to these troubling conditions, the PPHAM Coalition calls for:

Collaborative Reporting
Strong cooperation among human rights institutions like Komnas Perempuan, Komnas HAM, KPAI, and LPSK is essential to producing joint reports on the situation of human rights defenders, protection efforts, and the challenges encountered in upholding human rights.

Fulfilling Promises on Human Rights and Gender Equality
President Prabowo Subianto’s administration must prove its commitment to human rights and gender equality, as outlined in his Asta Cita vision, by implementing policies that address past and present human rights violations and protect human rights defenders.

Strengthening Regional Solidarity
Due to the cross-sectoral similarities in violence against WHRDs across ASEAN, there is a need for stronger regional networks, joint advocacy, and resource-sharing.

Enhancing Emergency Mechanisms
WHRDs need capacity-building, particularly in digital security, to better handle emergencies sustainably.

Scaling National Protection Mechanisms
The newly established Ministry of Human Rights should expand protection mechanisms for WHRDs and their families, drawing inspiration from successful cases handled by Komnas Perempuan, Komnas HAM, KPAI, and LPSK.

2016

Pada bulan Maret 2016, KEMITRAAN menerima akreditasi internasional dari Adaptation Fund. Dewan Adaptation Fund, dalam pertemuannya yang ke-27, memutuskan untuk mengakreditasi KEMITRAAN sebagai National Implementing Entity (NIE) dari Adaptation Fund. KEMITRAAN menjadi lembaga pertama dan satu-satunya lembaga Indonesia yang terakreditasi sebagai NIE Adaptation Fund di Indonesia.
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2020

Perjanjian ini ditandatangani antara Green Climate Fund (GCF) dan KEMITRAAN. Perjanjian ini meresmikan akuntabilitas KEMITRAAN dalam melaksanakan proyek-proyek yang disetujui oleh GCF.

 

Untuk diketahui, GCF adalah dana khusus terbesar di dunia yang membantu negara-negara berkembang untuk mengurangi emisi gas rumah kaca dan meningkatkan kemampuan mereka dalam merespons perubahan iklim.

 

Dana ini dihimpun oleh Konvensi Kerangka Kerja PBB tentang Perubahan Iklim (UNFCCC) pada tahun 2010. GCF memiliki peran penting dalam mewujudkan Perjanjian Paris, yakni mendukung tujuan untuk menjaga kenaikan suhu global rata-rata di bawah 2 derajat celsius.

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2000-2003

KEMITRAAN memainkan peran krusial dalam mendukung pengembangan undang-undang untuk membentuk KPK. Hal ini diikuti dengan langkah mendukung Pemerintah dan DPR dalam memilih calon komisioner yang kompeten dan juga mendukung kelompok masyarakat sipil untuk mengawasi secara kritis proses seleksinya. Setelah komisioner ditunjuk, mereka meminta KEMITRAAN untuk membantu mendesain kelembagaan dan rekrutmen awal KPK, serta memainkan peran sebagai koordinator donor. Sangat jelas bahwa KEMITRAAN memainkan peran kunci dalam mendukung KPK untuk mengembangkan kapasitas dan strategi yang diperlukan agar dapat bekerja seefektif mungkin.
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2003

Pada tahun 2003, KEMITRAAN menjadi badan hukum yang independen yang terdaftar sebagai Persekutuan Perdata Nirlaba. Pada saat itu, KEMITRAAN masih menjadi program yang dikelola oleh UNDP hingga akhir tahun 2009. Sejak awal tahun 2010, KEMITRAAN mengambil alih tanggung jawab dan akuntabilitas penuh atas program-program dan perkembangannya.
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1999-2000

Kemitraan bagi Pembaruan Tata Kelola Pemerintahan, atau KEMITRAAN, didirikan pada tahun 2000 setelah berlangsungnya pemilihan umum pertama di Indonesia yang bebas dan adil pada tahun 1999. Pemilu bersejarah ini merupakan langkah penting dalam upaya Indonesia keluar dari masa lalu yang otoriter menuju masa depan yang demokratis. KEMITRAAN didirikan dari dana perwalian multi-donor dan dikelola oleh United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) dengan mandat untuk memajukan reformasi tata kelola pemerintahan di Indonesia.
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2020

This agreement was signed between Green Climate Fund (GCF) and PARTNERSHIP. This agreement formalizes KEMITRAAN’s accountability in implementing projects approved by the GCF.

For your information, the GCF is the world’s largest special fund that helps developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase their ability to respond to climate change.

These funds were collected by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010. The GCF has an important role in realizing the Paris Agreement, namely supporting the goal of keeping the average global temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius.

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2020

This agreement was signed between Green Climate Fund (GCF) and PARTNERSHIP. This agreement formalizes KEMITRAAN’s accountability in implementing projects approved by the GCF.

For your information, the GCF is the world’s largest special fund that helps developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase their ability to respond to climate change.

These funds were collected by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010. The GCF has an important role in realizing the Paris Agreement, namely supporting the goal of keeping the average global temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius.

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2016

In March 2016, KEMITRAAN received international accreditation from the Adaptation Fund. The Adaptation Fund Board, in its 27th meeting, decided to accredit KEMITRAAN as National Implementing Entity (NIE) from the Adaptation Fund. KEMITRAAN is the first and only Indonesian institution to be accredited as a NIE Adaptation Fund in Indonesia.
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2003

In 2003, KEMITRAAN became an independent legal entity registered as a Non-Profit Civil Partnership. At that time, KEMITRAAN was still a program managed by UNDP until the end of 2009. Since the beginning of 2010, KEMITRAAN took over full responsibility and accountability for the programs and their development.
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2000-2003

KEMITRAAN played a crucial role in supporting the development of legislation to establish the KPK. This was followed by steps to support the Government and DPR in selecting competent commissioner candidates and also supporting civil society groups to critically monitor the selection process. After the commissioners were appointed, they asked KEMITRAAN to help with the institutional design and initial recruitment of the KPK, as well as play the role of donor coordinator. It is clear that KEMITRAAN plays a key role in supporting the Corruption Eradication Commission to develop the capacity and strategies needed to work as effectively as possible.
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1999-2000

The Partnership for Governance Reform, or KEMITRAAN, was founded in 2000 following Indonesia’s first free and fair general election in 1999. This historic election is an important step in Indonesia’s efforts to move away from an authoritarian past towards a democratic future. PARTNERSHIP was established from a multi-donor trust fund and is managed by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with a mandate to advance governance reform in Indonesia
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1999-2000

Kemitraan bagi Pembaruan Tata Kelola Pemerintahan, atau KEMITRAAN, didirikan pada tahun 2000 setelah berlangsungnya pemilihan umum pertama di Indonesia yang bebas dan adil pada tahun 1999. Pemilu bersejarah ini merupakan langkah penting dalam upaya Indonesia keluar dari masa lalu yang otoriter menuju masa depan yang demokratis. KEMITRAAN didirikan dari dana perwalian multi-donor dan dikelola oleh United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) dengan mandat untuk memajukan reformasi tata kelola pemerintahan di Indonesia.
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