Danu Damarjati, Jakarta – The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) is asking that discussion on the Draft Law (RUU) on Countering Disinformation and Foreign Propaganda be stopped.
"The YLBHI is urging the government to stop this plan and calls on the public to understand and jointly block this rotten plan", said YLBHI in a written press release delivered by General Chairperson Muhammad Isnur on Thursday January 15.
The YLBHI believes that the draft law is dangerous for democracy and is anti-criticism. "The RUU on Countering Disinformation and Propaganda is very dangerous for democracy, justice and people's rights", said the YLBHI.
It is felt that the draft law embodies accusations that critical parties are part of foreign propaganda.
"The YLBHI views this plan as truly aimed at targeting people who are critical, controlling information, stopping funding and support for civil society institutions that have been fighting for justice, the environment, gender equality, anti-corruption, civil liberties and other social movements", said the YLBHI.
Apart from feeling that the bill was drafted to target civil society institutions, the YLBHI also believes that the bill was drafted to target political parties that do not support the government.
"Moreover this draft could also target opposition political parties, campuses, academics, journalists, the press who have become critical groups", said the YLBHI.
Conflicts with the Constitution
The YLBHI believes that the draft law is contrary to Article 28F of the 1945 Constitution which states that every person has the right to communicate and obtain information to develop their personality and social environment, and has the right to seek, obtain, own, store, process and convey information using all types of available channels.
The YLBHI also considers that the bill is contrary to Article 28E of the 1945 Constitution and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as protection of citizens' freedom of expression and opinion.
The drafting of the daft law is also seen as being sudden, without being included in the National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) and closed to the public.
Prabowo ordered drafting of bill
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections (Menko Kumham Imipas) Yusril Ihza Mahendra has confirmed that the government is preparing a draft law on countering disinformation and foreign propaganda.
Mahendra said that President Prabowo Subianto ordered the Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas to draft the bill.
"Yes, the President did indeed give direction to Pak [Mr] Supratman and to me as well, to start thinking about steps towards forming a Draft Law on Countering Disinformation and Propaganda from outside parties, yes, towards us", said Mahendra at his office in Jakarta on Wednesday January 14.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "YLBHI: Hentikan RUU Disinformasi dan Propaganda Asing!".]
