Photo: Koalisi Seni/Ichlasul Amal
Jakarta, June 25, 2024 – Koalisi Seni launched the 2023 Artistic Freedom Report titled Slippery When Set: Artistic Freedom at Political Crossroads in Indonesia 2023 at the PDS HB Jassin Hall, Jakarta Library, Taman Ismail Marzuki.
This report was compiled amid Indonesia’s political transition, which feels like standing at a frightening crossroads. Many argue that Indonesia has returned to the New Order era, where oligarchs control the country’s political and economic systems. Throughout 2023, restricted access for marginalized groups became a key issue—marked by repression based on gender, ethnicity, and religion.
Koalisi Seni’s Research Coordinator, Ratri Ninditya, explained that out of 37 recorded incidents of artistic freedom violations in 2023, the state was the most frequent perpetrator. Violating actors included the police, local governments, legislative bodies, and intelligence agencies. Meanwhile, non-state violators included mass organizations, mobs, individuals with power in the workplace, and commercial organizations. This report was compiled through media monitoring and reports submitted via kebebasanberkesenian.id. However, much like an iceberg, many violations remain unrecorded, particularly in regions outside Java and Sumatra.
Bhenageerushtia, Program Manager for Media and Diversity at Remotivi, echoed this concern:
“The press, as the frontline for monitoring violations, is still heavily concentrated in Java and Sumatra. This limitation is further exacerbated by the fundamental changes in the draft Broadcasting Bill (RUU Penyiaran), which contains elements of press suppression and restricts freedom of expression and creativity in digital spaces.”
According to him, the contents of the Broadcasting Bill clearly contradict the Cultural Advancement Law (UU Pemajuan Kebudayaan).
Anis Hidayah, Coordinator of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), added that freedom of expression in arts and culture is not a mainstream issue and is rarely linked to human rights. However, the work of artists is a fundamental part of human rights, and the state must protect the artistic ecosystem in accordance with the Cultural Advancement Law.
“I hope this report can be presented to Komnas HAM as part of its annual report and followed up accordingly,” she stated.
Daniel Awigra, Director of the Human Rights Working Group, and Daryl Neng Wirakartakusumah, Editor of Indonesia’s Quadrennial Periodic Report (QPR) for the 2005 UNESCO Convention, also emphasized the need for more civil society organizations, educational institutions, and individuals to contribute to documenting and advocating for human rights. Their contributions could be included in Indonesia’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UN and the QPR for the UNESCO 2005 Convention.
Koalisi Seni’s report provides several recommendations for the state:
- Include the artistic freedom report as a key part of the QPR and UPR.
- Improve police capacity to protect artistic freedom and human rights.
- Repeal regional regulations that ban electronic music, as they violate artistic freedom.
- Cancel the revised Broadcasting Bill.
- Ensure Komnas HAM includes the artistic freedom report in its annual review.
- Urge the Film Censorship Board and the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission to consider artistic freedom principles in their regulations.
“In reality, fear does not only come from artists but also from the government, leading to decisions that restrict artistic freedom,” said Felencia Hutabarat, Vice Chair of the Jakarta Arts Council and moderator of the discussion.
For artists, strengthening safety nets through collaboration with unions, advocacy groups, and human rights organizations is crucial. Identifying risks from the production stage to exhibition, exchanging knowledge on artistic freedom and risk mitigation strategies, and reporting witnessed or experienced violations through kebebasanberkesenian.id can help safeguard artistic expression.
For more details, you can read Slippery When Set: Artistic Freedom at Political Crossroads in Indonesia 2023 on Academia Koalisi Seni and Koalisi Seni’s website.
Written by: Amalia Ikhlasanti
