Jakarta – The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has declared September 7 as Human Rights Defenders Protection Day. This date was taken from the day that renowned human rights defender Munir Said Thalib was assassinated 17 years ago in 2004.

Tatang Guritno, Jakarta – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) says that the government often sees human rights defenders as enemies of the state. Yet, according to Kontras Coordinator Fatia Maulidiyanti, human rights defenders work to defend society and ensure that the country improves.

Rahel Narda Chaterine, Jakarta – Buzzers and influencers are seen as having become the principle voice of the government in the current era.

Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition Against Sexual Violence (KOMPAKS) says that as many as 85 articles have been removed in the process of changing the title of the Draft Law on the Eradication of Sexual Violence (RUU PKS) to the Draft Law on Sexual Violence Crimes (RUU TPKS).

Fitria Chusna Farisa, Jakarta – Presidential Staff Deputy Chief Juri Ardiantoro says that criticism should not be allowed to ignore obedience to the law, ethics and aesthetics. If the criticism is intended as part of democracy, said Ardiantoro, these three elements must still be basic to this.

Huyogo Simbolon, Bandung – Scores of people gathered at the People's Struggle Monument in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung on Thursday September 2. The majority of participants were young people who wore black clothing and held the distinct black umbrellas of a Kamisan (Thursday) action.

Jakarta – Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Chairperson Asfinawati has warned that conflicts of interest involving public officials are subject to criminal prosecution.

Jakarta – The Civil Society Coalition held a theatrical action criticising public officials who violate the code of ethics. The action was held symbolically by dumping an official into a garbage bin.

The action was held in front of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) red-and-white building in Jakarta on Tuesday August 31.

Jakarta – Audio-visual production house Watchdoc, which is active in monitoring environmental and corruption issues, has won the Ramon Magsaysay award for the category of emergent leadership.

Tatang Guritno, Jakarta – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) says that the government has been excessive in dealing with the emergence of murals with a critical tone drawn by the public.