to Papua. Investigations into reports of unlawful killings by security forces in Papua were rare.7
2. Indonesia: Unprotected, overworked, ailing Indonesian health workers face avalanche of COVID-19 cases (Press release, 11 September)
WOMEN’S RIGHTS
4. Indonesia: End wave of digital attacks on students, journalists and activists (ASA 21/2536/2020)
Data from the National Commission on Violence against Women indicated that, as of July, there was a 75% increase in reports of sexual violence against women during the pandemic. There was no comprehensive legal umbrella covering all forms of sexual violence. The Indonesian Criminal Code narrowly defines sexual violence as including rape and “adultery” (in contravention of international law), and provides for limited protection of survivors. On 2 July, the House of Representatives officially dropped the Sexual Violence Eradication Bill from the priority list of the national legislation programme. This undermined the adoption of a comprehensive legal framework that can guarantee prosecution of perpetrators and offer appropriate protection to survivors of sexual violence.
RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND INTERSEX (LGBTI) PEOPLE Harassment, intimidation, attacks and discrimination against LGBTI people continued. The media reported inflammatory, inaccurate and misleading statements made by public officials on the grounds of defending the country’s public morality. Both state and non-state actors were responsible for acts of violence as well as issuing threats, intimidation and other types of harassment of LGBTI individuals. On 1 September, police in the capital, Jakarta, raided a private gathering of men in an apartment in South Jakarta. Nine people were arrested and charged with “facilitating obscene acts” under the pornography law, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years’ imprisonment.8 1. Indonesia: COVID-19 and its human rights impact in Indonesia (ASA 21/2238/2020)
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3. Indonesia: ‘Catastrophic’ Omnibus Bill on job creation passed into law (Press release, 5 October)
5. Indonesia: Financial punishment against human rights defender shows no respect for freedom of expression (Press release, 14 August) 6. Indonesia: Investigate killing of priest in Papua (Press release, 23 September) 7. Indonesia: Civil and political rights violations in Papua and West Papua (ASA 21/2445/2020) 8. Indonesia: Men accused of holding ‘gay party’ face 15 years in jail (Press release, 3 September)
IRAN Islamic Republic of Iran Head of state: Ali Khamenei (Supreme Leader) Head of government: Hassan Rouhani (President) The authorities heavily suppressed the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Security forces used unlawful force to crush protests. The authorities continued to arbitrarily detain hundreds of protesters, dissidents and human rights defenders, and sentenced many to imprisonment and flogging. Women, as well as ethnic and religious minorities, faced entrenched discrimination as well as violence. Enforced disappearances, torture and other ill-treatment were committed with impunity on a widespread and systematic basis. Judicial corporal punishments amounting to torture, including floggings and amputations, were imposed. Fair trial rights were systematically violated. The death penalty was used as a weapon of political repression. Executions were carried out, one in public and some others in secret. Those executed included people aged under 18 at the time of the crime. The authorities continued to commit crimes against humanity by systematically concealing the fate and whereabouts of several thousand political dissidents forcibly disappeared and extrajudicially executed in secret in 1988. Mass graves
Amnesty International Report 2020/21