Responding to the presentation of the Indonesian Government's highest honour to Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in Jakarta, Amnesty International Indonesia Deputy Director Wirya Adiwena said:
"Giving PM Modi this mark of honour deserves criticism and is an excessive step by the Indonesian government. Law Number 20/2009 states that honorary awards by the state must be based on various principles, including humanitarian principles.
Unfortunately, this reality clashes sharply with PM Modi's track record, especially regarding human rights. Amnesty International's 2025/26 report notes that the human rights situation in India is experiencing rapid deterioration.
The Modi government has systematically criminalised freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Human rights defenders, academics, students, political opponents and even comedians are vulnerable to arbitrary arrest and criminalisation through laws on incitement and anti-terrorism.
Journalists and activists have been arrested and put on trial, while those already detained such as Umar Khalid in Bhima Koregaon and other Muslim activists, remain behind bars. Religious and ethnic minority groups face increasing persecution, including Muslims targeted through discriminatory laws on marriage.
State institutions under PM Modi's government have even been deployed to silence independent critical voices, including international media organisations and civic groups that speak out for the truth. These cases increasingly emphasise the narrowing space for freedom and increasing intolerance in India.
On the international stage, PM Modi's attitude is also questionable. His statement last February in Jerusalem emphasised his commitment to strengthening relations with Israel, without mentioning the genocidal campaign in Gaza and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank by Israel. In fact, it is acts of neglect like this that enable Israel to continue committing crimes against humanity.
Human rights issues are not something that the government can ignore when giving honours to someone. Giving the highest honour to leaders with red report cards in the field of human rights is the wrong move. Therefore, the government must revoke this award and ensure that any award of honours is in line with respect and protection of human rights."
Background
The President of Indonesia awarded the Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna (The Star of the Republic of Indonesia) award to the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, in Jakarta on Tuesday July 7. According to the official website of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, the highest honour from the Indonesian government was given as a tribute to the leadership of PM Modi, who is considered to have played a major role in the course of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Amnesty International's Annual Report 2025/26 notes the increasingly deteriorating human rights situation in India by highlighting the criminalisation of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly by the Indian government under PM Modi. Sedition and anti-terrorism laws are used to criminalise journalists, activists, comedians, academics and students exercising their right to freedom of expression.
The Indian government's financial and investigative agencies were deployed to harass, silence and criminalise critical independent voices, including media organisations such as the BBC and civil society organisations known to be critical of the government, including Amnesty International India.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "PM Narendra Modi tidak pantas terima tanda kehormatan tertinggi Indonesia".]
